The Delhi High Court has delivered a significant development in the long-running National Herald case, issuing formal notices to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The court has directed them to file their replies in response to a fresh plea moved by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Court Directs Gandhis to Respond to ED's Application
A bench of the Delhi High Court presided over by Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta took up the matter on December 22, 2025. The court's action came on an application filed by the Enforcement Directorate, which is currently investigating the financial intricacies of the National Herald newspaper case. The central probe agency's plea necessitated a response from the Gandhis, prompting the court to issue the formal legal notice.
The case, which has significant political ramifications, revolves around allegations of financial irregularities in the acquisition of the now-defunct newspaper's assets by Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and its subsequent transfer to Young Indian Private Limited. Both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi are among the key figures in this legal tangle.
Background and Legal Trajectory of the Case
The National Herald case has been a focal point of political and legal scrutiny for nearly a decade. Initiated by a complaint, the investigation alleges that Congress party funds were misused to gain control over the newspaper's property assets worth hundreds of crores. The Enforcement Directorate is probing the matter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), while a separate criminal case is also being heard by a trial court.
The latest hearing in the High Court marks a continuation of this complex legal battle. The ED's specific application, which led to the issuance of the notice, is understood to seek certain clarifications or permissions from the court to proceed with specific aspects of its investigation. The details of the application's contents were part of the court's proceedings on Sunday.
The court has now listed the matter for further hearing on January 27, 2026. This gives the respondents, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, time to prepare and submit their detailed counter-replies to the agency's submissions.
Political Repercussions and Next Steps
This development is certain to reignite political debates, with the Congress party historically framing the case as a politically motivated attack by the central government. The issuance of a fresh notice by the High Court ensures that the National Herald case will remain in the legal and public spotlight as the new hearing date approaches.
The legal requirements for the Gandhis now involve engaging their counsel to draft a comprehensive response to the ED's plea. The outcome of this application could influence the pace and direction of the overall money laundering probe. All eyes will now be on the filings made before the January 27, 2026 hearing, which will shape the next phase of this high-stakes legal confrontation.
