Truth Prevails as Court Gives Relief to Gandhis in Herald Case

December 16, 2025

The Congress on Tuesday said “truth has prevailed” after a Delhi court granted significant relief to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case, refusing to take cognizance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) complaint at this stage.

Congress (@INCIndia) posts, “Truth has prevailed The malafide and illegality of the Modi govt stands fully exposed. Proceedings of ED against the Congress leadership – Smt Sonia Gandhi Ji and Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, in the Young Indian case have been found completely illegal and… pic.twitter.com/So0in3o6pm

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 16, 2025

The party termed the development a vindication of its stand, alleging that the case was driven by political vendetta rather than legal merit.

What the Court Ruled

A special court at Rouse Avenue Courts, New Delhi, declined to take cognizance of the ED’s prosecution complaint filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The court observed that the ED’s case was not maintainable in its present form, as it was based on a private complaint rather than a scheduled offence registered through an FIR or a competent authority’s complaint, which is a prerequisite under PMLA provisions.

As a result, the court did not proceed further against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and other accused named in the ED chargesheet.

Congress Reacts: ‘Politics of Intimidation Failed’

Reacting strongly to the ruling, senior Congress leaders said the decision exposed the misuse of central agencies against political opponents. “This is a clear message that truth cannot be suppressed through intimidation. The politics of harassment has failed,” a Congress spokesperson said.

The party reiterated that neither Sonia Gandhi nor Rahul Gandhi had committed any financial wrongdoing and that the National Herald case was fabricated to target the Congress leadership.

Background: What Is the National Herald Case?

The National Herald case dates back to 2012, when a private complaint was filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy alleging irregularities in the takeover of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper.

The complaint claimed that Young Indian Private Limited, a company in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are majority shareholders, acquired AJL assets through questionable financial arrangements.

Based on this complaint, the Enforcement Directorate later initiated a money laundering probe and filed a chargesheet under the PMLA, accusing the Gandhis and others of laundering proceeds allegedly linked to the AJL transaction.

Why the Court’s Order Is Significant

Legal experts say the court’s refusal to take cognizance is a major procedural setback for the ED, as it halts the case at a preliminary stage.

However, the order does not amount to a final acquittal on merits. The agency may explore legal options, including refiling or addressing procedural deficiencies, subject to judicial scrutiny.

Political Implications

The ruling comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of key electoral battles and is expected to sharpen the Congress’s attack on the BJP, which it accuses of weaponizing investigative agencies.

The Congress leadership has consistently maintained that the National Herald case is emblematic of a broader pattern of targeting Opposition leaders through central agencies.

What Lies Ahead

While the immediate legal proceedings have been stalled, the case may continue in other legal forums. For now, the court’s decision provides temporary relief to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and a political boost to the Congress, which is likely to highlight the verdict in its campaign narrative.