The Delhi High Court has issued notices to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with other respondents, in connection with the National Herald case. The court sought their response to a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging a trial court order that had refused to take cognisance of the agency’s prosecution complaint.
The ED had approached the High Court after the trial court ruled that its complaint was not maintainable as it was not based on a First Information Report (FIR). The agency has argued that its prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is valid and must be considered.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja, while hearing the matter, directed Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other respondents to file their replies. The court also agreed to examine the ED’s plea seeking a stay on the trial court’s order. The matter has been listed for further hearing in March 2026.
The case pertains to alleged financial irregularities involving Young Indian Pvt Ltd’s acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd, the publisher of the National Herald newspaper. The ED has alleged money laundering and conspiracy, while the Congress leaders have consistently denied any wrongdoing, calling the case politically motivated.
Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and R.S. Cheema appeared for the Gandhis, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the ED. The High Court’s intervention marks a significant development in the long-running case, which has been under scrutiny for several years.
