Top News

The National Herald case saw a fresh development on Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has told a Delhi court that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi allegedly benefited from ₹142 crore in what the agency terms as "proceeds of crime."

The complaint has been filed against seven persons and entities: Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, Young Indian, Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd, and Sunil Bhandari.

The revelation came during a hearing before Special Judge Vishal Gogne, where Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the ED, argued that the accused had not only acquired these illicit assets but continued to retain and benefit from them even after the alleged wrongdoing.

"These proceeds are not limited to assets directly obtained through the scheduled offence," Raju said, adding: "They also encompass any wealth or property tied to related criminal activity." He noted that properties linked to the National Herald publication were seized in November 2023, but until that point, the accused were still "enjoying" the financial gains stemming from the alleged criminal conduct.

The ED's submission forms part of its opening arguments as the court considers whether to take cognisance of the charges. The agency claims that a prima facie case of money laundering exists against the Gandhis and others involved in the matter.

The origins of the investigation trace back to a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. It was on the basis of this complaint that a magistrate court first took cognisance in 2014, prompting the ED to begin its probe in 2021. The agency filed its chargesheet in the case recently.

In a procedural move, Judge Gogne has instructed the ED to provide a copy of its chargesheet to Swamy, whose complaint has been central to the case's progression.