Delhi HC defers ED’s plea against Sonia, Rahul Gandhi in National Herald case

February 19, 2026

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday adjourned the hearing on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) plea challenging a trial court’s refusal to take cognisance of its prosecution complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald money laundering case.

Hearing Deferred to March 9

A single-judge bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that the matter required a substantive hearing, and scheduled arguments on the ED’s revision petition for March 9.

The ED is challenging the December 16, 2025 order of a Special Judge at Rouse Avenue Court, which dismissed its prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and refused to take cognisance of alleged offences.

ED’s Argument

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the trial court erred by holding that a PMLA complaint cannot be based on a scheduled offence arising from a private complaint.

• ED claimed that a private complaint before a magistrate has more legal weight than a police FIR.

• Criminal proceedings can begin either through police investigation or a private complaint, and therefore the Special Judge should not have rejected the complaint.

Background of the Case

The case alleges that Congress leaders conspired to acquire assets worth over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) via Young Indian, a company in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are majority shareholders, by paying a nominal sum of Rs 50 lakh.

The controversy began in 2012 when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a private complaint accusing Congress leaders of cheating and breach of trust during the acquisition of AJL.