In a significant development in the National Herald money laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh notices to senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, initiating the process to take possession of immovable assets worth ₹661 crore that were earlier attached as part of its investigation.
In an official statement, the ED confirmed that notices have been affixed to properties located in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow. The agency has directed that these properties either be vacated or any rental income generated from them be transferred to the government. The action is being taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The National Herald newspaper is published by Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which is owned by Young Indian Pvt. Ltd., a company in which Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and several other Congress leaders are listed as promoters. The case stems from allegations of financial irregularities involving the transfer of Rs 90.21 crore in loans owed by AJL to the Congress party, which were allegedly acquired by Young Indian.
The ED had earlier attached properties and equity shares held by Young Indian in November 2023. The agency alleges that the transactions involved money laundering and financial misappropriation. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and senior leader Pawan Kumar Bansal have already been questioned, with their statements recorded.
The fresh round of notices marks a critical step in the ED’s efforts to recover and take control of the attached assets, further intensifying the legal battle between the central agency and the Congress leadership.