ED Alleges Sonia, Rahul Gandhi Received ₹142 Crore in National Herald Case

New Delhi, May 21 — The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday informed a Delhi court that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi allegedly received ₹142 crore as “proceeds of crime” in connection with the National Herald money laundering case. The claim was made by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, representing the ED, during preliminary submissions on whether the court should take cognisance of the agency’s chargesheet.

The ED recently filed its chargesheet in the case and is currently presenting its initial arguments before Special Judge Vishal Gogne. ASG Raju told the court that a prima facie case of money laundering had been made out against the Gandhis and other accused individuals.

The court proceedings are part of a long-running investigation that originated from a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on June 26, 2014. The ED formally initiated its probe in 2021 after a magistrate court took cognisance of Swamy’s allegations.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Judge Gogne also directed the ED to provide a copy of the chargesheet to Swamy, who remains a key complainant in the case.

Meanwhile, legal counsels for Sonia and Rahul Gandhi requested that the matter be listed for the next month, seeking time to prepare their submissions in response to the ED’s charges.