Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi Face Criminal Conspiracy Charges in Fresh National Herald FIR
The Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has registered a fresh FIR dated October 3, 2025, naming Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the ongoing National Herald investigation. The FIR alleges a criminal conspiracy to fraudulently acquire control of Associated Journals Limited (AJL)—valued at around ₹2,000 crore—through the not-for-profit company Young Indian.
The development became public on November 29, a day after the Rouse Avenue Court deferred its order on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) PMLA chargesheet to December 16.
Core Allegations in the FIR
According to the complaint, Young Indian, in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi jointly held 76% shareholding, purportedly obtained control of AJL by paying just ₹50 lakh to the Congress Party. Investigators allege that ₹1 croreused in the transaction originated from Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd, a Kolkata-based entity flagged as a shell firm.
Despite AJL owning premium real estate assets in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow, its ownership was allegedly transferred without following corporate governance norms.
The FIR cites the following Indian Penal Code sections:
- Section 120B – Criminal Conspiracy
- Section 420 – Cheating
- Section 406 – Criminal Breach of Trust
- Section 403 – Dishonest Misappropriation
The case is based on materials supplied by the ED under PMLA Section 66(2), including allegations of money laundering through sham rentals, advertising transactions, and diverted income streams.
Also named as accused are:
- Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress
- Suman Dubey, journalist and former AJL director
- Sunil Bhandari
Corporate entities Young Indian, AJL, and Dotex Merchandise
The case builds on the 2012 complaint filed by Subramanian Swamy, which challenged the Congress Party’s ₹90-crore loan extended to AJL between 2004 and 2014, later converted into equity in Young Indian in alleged violation of rules governing political party shareholding.
Court Deferral and FIR Timing
On November 28, Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court postponed cognisance of the ED’s April 9 chargesheet, noting the need to examine additional files and rental documentation. The order is now expected on December 16.
The public disclosure of the FIR is understood to bolster the ED’s case by establishing predicate offences, which are necessary for proceeding under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Even if cognisance of the PMLA chargesheet faces delay, the presence of predicate offences enables investigative continuity.
The ED has previously attached ₹661 crore worth of AJL and Young Indian properties. While no arrests have been made to date, Rahul and Sonia Gandhi continue on bail from earlier proceedings.
Political and Legal Fallout
The Congress Party has condemned the FIR as politically motivated, arguing that AJL’s restructuring was an internal organisational matter with no financial loss to the public. Investigative agencies, however, maintain that shareholders were allegedly deceived and that funds were laundered through controlled entities.
A criminal conviction could have significant political implications, including potential disqualification risks for Rahul Gandhi, intensifying the ongoing political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress ahead of the December hearing.
