Fresh FIR Against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in National Herald Case, Police Probe Expanded

New Delhi, Nov 2025 : The Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has registered a fresh criminal case against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with the National Herald investigation. The FIR, filed following a complaint from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), also names six other individuals and entities, including Sam Pitroda and several companies, alleging a criminal conspiracy to illegally gain control of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper.

The case, which follows an earlier FIR filed on October 3, focuses on allegations that the Gandhis, through their majority 76 percent stake in Young Indian—a private company—manipulated the acquisition of AJL, a Congress-linked entity holding properties valued at approximately Rs 2,000 crore. According to the FIR, the takeover involved orchestrating a scheme to acquire AJL for a nominal sum of Rs 50 lakh, despite the company holding substantial real estate and financial assets.

The ED, which had been investigating a long-running money laundering case linked to the National Herald, submitted its findings to the Delhi Police under a legal provision allowing agencies to investigate “scheduled offences.” This fresh FIR, numbered 0124/2025, lists multiple charges including criminal conspiracy, cheating, and criminal breach of trust.

The FIR alleges that Young Indian converted a loan of Rs 90.21 crore—assigned by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) from AJL—into equity shares, issuing over nine crore shares to the company, effectively giving it 99 percent ownership of AJL and its high-value assets. The EOW is expected to question AJL shareholders to determine whether the company’s transfer to Young Indian had proper approval.

Alongside the Gandhis, the FIR names Sam Pitroda, chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, and three companies: AJL, Young Indian, and Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd, a Kolkata-based firm alleged to have funneled Rs 1 crore to Young Indian. This money was reportedly used to pay Rs 50 lakh to the Congress party, facilitating the AJL takeover.

The ED probe also flagged other alleged financial irregularities, including Rs 18.12 crore in bogus donations collected by Young Indian to settle a tax liability, Rs 38.41 crore in advance rents claimed by AJL without valid agreements, and Rs 29.45 crore in questionable advertising revenue. The total alleged proceeds of the crime, including AJL shares, immovable properties, and rental income, are estimated at Rs 988.03 crore. The agency has already attached properties worth Rs 751.91 crore.

The National Herald case was initially triggered by a complaint filed by former BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in 2013. Subsequent judicial proceedings, including orders by the Metropolitan Magistrate, the Delhi High Court, and the Supreme Court, paved the way for the ED’s investigation. Following its findings, the ED referred the matter to the Delhi Police, culminating in the registration of this latest FIR.

The fresh case adds another dimension to the ongoing legal proceedings against the Gandhis, expanding the scope of inquiry into the alleged misuse of AJL assets and financial irregularities tied to the National Herald acquisition.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)