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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday pressed a Delhi court to take cognisance of its chargesheet in the National Herald case, asserting that the matter represents a textbook instance of money laundering involving all the accused. The arguments were presented before special judge Vishal Gogne by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju.

Continuing his submissions on the chargesheet’s cognisance, ASG Raju contended that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi emerged as the beneficial owners of Young Indian after obtaining complete control following the demise of the other shareholders. “These two persons controlled the All India Congress Committee (AICC). They saw that AICC released a Rs 90 crore loan (to Associated Journals Limited or AJL, a Rs 2,000 crore company, the publisher of the National Herald newspaper). The purpose…target was to have Rs 2,000 crore,” Raju argued.

He alleged that the Gandhis were directly responsible for managing Young Indian’s operations, insisting the “sham transaction could not have been conducted without their consent.” The ED has accused Sonia and Rahul Gandhi of conspiring to fraudulently acquire assets worth over ₹2,000 crore belonging to AJL, stating the fraudulent takeover was with the connivance and consent of the accused, including the Gandhis. 

National Herald case: Young Indian Director 'Puppet Of Gandhis,' ED Says

Highlighting the involvement of other individuals, Raju told the court that Suman Dubey, a director of Young Indian, transferred 550 shares to Sonia Gandhi. He added, “The shareholding (by Dubey) was only for namesake. He was a puppet of Gandhis. The sham transaction could not have taken place without his connivance.”

Regarding Sam Pitroda’s alleged role, the ASG said he had requested the letter of conversion. Meanwhile, Dotex Merchandise Private Limited was accused of facilitating the laundering by extending a “sham loan,” with Sunil Bhandari being identified as the key person overseeing Dotex’s affairs.

On July 2, during earlier proceedings, the ED submitted that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi planned to seize AJL’s assets through a calculated conspiracy. Raju stated that Young Indian Private Limited was created deliberately, with the Gandhis holding a 76 per cent stake, to acquire AJL’s assets despite AJL already possessing properties worth crores of rupees while also receiving a ₹90 crore loan from the AICC.

According to the ED’s chargesheet, filed under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, the late Motilal Vora, the late Oscar Fernandes, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, Sunil Bhandari, Young Indian, and Dotex Merchandise Private Limited have been named as accused in the alleged conspiracy involving the fraudulent acquisition of AJL’s properties.

Raju concluded his arguments by reiterating, “This is a classic case where the offence of money laundering is made against all the accused. I request you to take cognisance.” The court is scheduled to continue the hearing on July 4.