The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and five others in the National Herald money laundering case. The ED alleges that the accused formed a shell company, Young Indian (YI), to illegally acquire properties worth ₹5,000 crore associated with the National Herald newspaper .
The chargesheet accuses the Gandhis of being the beneficial owners of YI, which allegedly acquired assets of the newspaper’s parent company, Associated Journals Limited (AJL), valued at ₹2,000 crore, for just ₹50 lakh. The ED claims that the current market value of these assets is ₹5,000 crore .
The chargesheet includes provisions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), including Sections 3, 44, and 45, which pertain to money laundering and corporate offences. Penalties under Section 4 of the PMLA, which can lead to imprisonment of up to seven years, have also been invoked .
The Congress party has strongly criticized the chargesheet, labeling it as a politically motivated move by the government. Party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh described it as an attempt to intimidate and suppress opposition voices .
A special court in New Delhi has scheduled a hearing for April 25 to consider the chargesheet .
Sources