PMLA: Delhi Court Defers Hearing In National Herald Case To May 21–22
A Delhi Court on Thursday adjourned proceedings in the National Herald money laundering case involving Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to May 21 and 22, citing incomplete notice service.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue Court recorded that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had served notices on all proposed accused in compliance with the Court's earlier directions. However, the judge noted that the notice to Sam Pitroda (proposed accused no. 4) had only been served on an alternate email ID earlier in the day.
“Since the notice has purportedly been served upon an alternative email ID upon the proposed accused 4 (Sam Pitroda) only today, it is appropriate that submissions on the aspect of cognisance are heard on the next date of hearing,” the Court observed.
The matter will now be taken up for hearing on May 21 and 22.
Previously
On May 2, the Delhi Court had issued notices to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case, observing that their “right to be heard at any stage breathes life into a fair trial.” The Special Judge of Rouse Avenue Court had noted that the right of the accused to present their side was available at the time of cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Background
The ED had recently filed its prosecution complaint (chargesheet) in the case, which stems from a private criminal complaint originally filed by BJP leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy before a magistrate court on June 26, 2014. That complaint prompted the initiation of the financial probe in 2021, with the ED alleging large-scale money laundering involving key Congress figures. A
According to the ED, the case involves a “criminal conspiracy” in the alleged fraudulent takeover of assets worth over Rs. 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper. Among those named in the conspiracy are Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, her son and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, the late Congress leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, as well as Suman Dubey, technocrat Sam Pitroda, and the private company Young Indian.
The central agency has alleged that Young Indian, a company formed in 2010, acquired 100% of AJL's shares through a series of transactions that involved financial irregularities and violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi each hold a 38% stake in Young Indian, effectively giving them majority control. The ED has accused the Congress leadership of misusing party funds and instrumentalising Young Indian to acquire valuable AJL properties, originally intended for journalistic purposes, for commercial benefit. As part of its investigation, the ED had previously summoned and questioned both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for several hours.
With the issuance of notice, the Delhi court has now formally involved the Gandhis in the current stage of proceedings, where the ED's chargesheet awaits judicial consideration. The court's order reinforces the importance of adhering to principles of natural justice by ensuring that the accused are given an opportunity to be heard before any further action is taken. The matter will be heard again on May 8.
Case Title: Directorate of Enforcement v. Sonia Gandhi & Ors.