Delhi EOW Files New FIR in National Herald Case Against Sonia, Rahul Gandhi Over Rs 988 Cr Laundering Allegations
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi has issued a new FIR after receiving a complaint from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others, stating that they allegedly engaged in a criminal conspiracy and money laundering scheme that involved approximately Rs 988 crore related to the National Herald case.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) November 30: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police has opened a second case in relation to the National Herald matter, which is particularly noteworthy given that the names of Congress members Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda appear on the record of the newly created FIR for the very first time.
Acquisition Scheme Details
The ED claims that the accused (including Young Indian (YI), a private entity) initiated a scheme to acquire Associated Journals Limited's (AJL) assets (publishing the National Herald newspaper) with a total asset valuation of more than Rs 2000 crore, in exchange for only Rs 50 lakh. The ED contends that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi – who jointly own 76% of YI's shares – were the ultimate beneficiaries of this acquisition.
The investigators believe that a transfer of Rs.1 crore from Dotex to Young Indian was extremely significant in allowing the consummation of this acquisition. The new FIR asserts that these alleged transactions were structured to allow for the transfer of AJL's substantial real estate holdings located in various prime locations to Young Indian by means of illegal activities.
Court and Charges Developments
Last Saturday, an order issued by a judge in the Delhi District Court regarding the ED's chargesheet in connection with the National Herald Case has been held in abeyance until December 16, 2023.
With regard to the ED chargesheet, the ED has accused the same individuals noted above, along with an additional six individuals, including Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, Suman Dubey, and Sam Pitroda, along with the private corporate entity Young Indian, of having engaged in an act of conspiracy and committing acts of laundering the proceeds of illegal activities.
The EOW will also be contacting the individuals accused in this matter to request their presence for questioning, as the EOW continues an undertaking initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Case Origins
This matter originated from a private complaint by Subramanian Swamy in 2013 which was subsequently acknowledged by the Metropolitan Magistrate in 2014. The order is upheld by the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. The ED has provided its findings to the EOW of Delhi Police under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) which resulted in the filing of a criminal conspiracy, cheating, and criminal breach of trust case for this FIR.
