Exclusive: ED's allegations against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul in National Herald case

India Today

22-05-2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed that proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 988 crore have been identified in the hands of the accused in the National Herald case, sources said.India Today has exclusively accessed details of the ED's allegations against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others. The probe agency alleges that Sonia Gandhi abused her position as Congress's interim president for the personal gain of herself and Rahul Gandhi.advertisementThe ED has further claimed that the Gandhis diverted public funds for personal use through the company Young Indian, which the agency describes as merely an instrument for siphoning proceeds of crime. According to the ED, this act defrauded both the public shareholders of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) and donors of the AICC.
Sources said the ED has alleged that the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) violations committed by Young Indian were done with the consent, connivance, or negligence of Sonia Gandhi, who was a director in the company at the time.The agency also alleged that the transactions involved could not have been executed without Rahul Gandhi's knowledge and active participation, given his role as General Secretary of the AICC and oversight of its operations.Furthermore, the ED has noted that no steps were taken by AICC office-bearers, including Rahul Gandhi, to recover the loan extended to AJL, despite their awareness of AJL's valuable, income-generating assets.advertisementSources told India Today that Sonia Gandhi, when questioned, claimed she was not involved in the day-to-day affairs of Young Indian, despite simultaneously serving as AICC President and holding a 38 per cent stake in Young Indian.According to sources, the ED has alleged that Young Indian received donations and contributions totaling approximately Rs 18.12 crore from various individuals during 2017–18, which the agency contends are not genuine. The ED claims the real purpose behind these bogus donations was to clear Young Indian's income tax liabilities—costs that would have otherwise fallen on the company's majority shareholders and beneficial owners, namely Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.The ED has also alleged that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, when questioned about the loan and related transactions, repeatedly stated that all decisions were taken by the late Motilal Vora, then treasurer of the Congress. According to the ED, this demonstrates a deliberate attempt to obstruct the investigation and evade legal accountability by shifting blame to a deceased individual.Additionally, sources report that the ED has alleged AJL received Rs 29.45 crore in advertising revenue between 2017–18 and 2020–21. However, individuals listed in AJL's advertising ledgers reportedly told investigators they had made payments under instructions from Congress leaders. Some even claimed the payments were made to secure protection from these leaders in the course of their regular business dealings.Sources also said the ED has argued that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi's hegemony over Young Indian is evident from the fact that, even after the deaths of two shareholders in 2020 and 2021 respectively, their shares remain unallotted to date.Tune InMust Watch