A Delhi court has delivered a significant ruling in the long-running National Herald case, refusing to take legal cognisance of a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. The court's decision, dated 16 December 2025, marks a notable development in the politically sensitive legal battle.
Court's Legal Reasoning for Dismissal
The court held that the complaint filed by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was not maintainable. The central point of the ruling was that the case originated from a private complaint and not from a First Information Report (FIR) registered by a police agency. This distinction proved crucial in the court's assessment of the ED's legal standing to pursue the matter under the PMLA framework.
Background of the National Herald Case
The National Herald case involves allegations concerning the acquisition of the assets of the defunct National Herald newspaper by Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and its subsequent transfer to Young Indian Private Limited, in which the Gandhis hold a majority stake. The ED's involvement stemmed from its probe into potential money laundering linked to these transactions. The agency had sought the court's cognisance to initiate proceedings against the Congress leaders based on its investigation.
Implications and Potential Next Steps
This order is a major legal relief for Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in this specific strand of the case. It halts, for now, the ED's attempt to bring formal PMLA charges based on the current complaint. However, the broader investigation or other legal avenues may remain open. The ruling underscores the procedural importance of how a case is initiated—whether by a private citizen or the state—and its impact on subsequent actions by agencies like the ED. Legal experts suggest the prosecution may explore options to challenge this order in a higher court.
The decision is likely to have immediate political reverberations, with the Congress party expected to highlight it as a vindication of its stance that the case is politically motivated. The National Herald case continues to be a focal point in India's political and legal landscape.
