Delhi court refuses to accept ED chargesheet against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, citing procedural lapses

A Delhi court has declined to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the long-running National Herald case, calling the filing legally unsustainable at this stage.

The court observed that the money-laundering case was built on a private complaint rather than a mandatory police FIR for the alleged predicate offences, making the chargesheet procedurally flawed. As a result, the ED’s submission was not accepted, dealing a temporary setback to the agency in the decade-old matter.

The case centres on allegations that the Gandhis gained control of Associated Journals Limited through Young Indian Pvt Ltd, a charge the Congress has consistently denied. Party leaders welcomed the court’s order, terming it relief from what they describe as politically motivated action. The BJP, however, maintained that the ruling does not amount to an acquittal and said the investigation would continue.

The ED has indicated it may refile the case after addressing procedural gaps. The episode underlines how technical legal requirements can significantly influence high-profile political cases, even before courts examine the merits of the allegations.