Why is ED taking action against Sonia and Rahul’s properties in National Herald case?
#News India April 14,2025
In the National Herald case, the ED has tightened the noose around Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and has started the process of taking possession of properties worth Rs 661 crore. The ED has taken action by terming these properties in Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow as illegally acquired and this action has created a stir in the political corridors. Is this BJP’s political revenge strategy or is it really an exposure of financial irregularities, as the Congress claims?
So, let us know what exactly is this National Herald case. The National Herald newspaper was founded in 1938 by Jawaharlal Nehru. It was a symbol of the freedom struggle. It was published by Associated Journals Limited i.e. AJL. The newspaper was closed after the financial crisis in 2008 and this is where the controversy started. In 2010, a company named Young India Private Limited (YIL) was formed. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have 38-38% stake in it. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had alleged in 2012 that YIL had acquired AJL’s properties worth more than Rs 2,000 crore for just Rs 50 lakh and that it was a case of fraud and money laundering.
ED claims that AJL and YIL used ‘proceeds of crime’ worth Rs 988 crore. It is alleged that this includes fake donations of Rs 18 crore, fake advance rent of Rs 38 crore and fake advertisements of Rs 29 crore. The agency sent notices to the property registrars of Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow and directed them to vacate these properties or transfer the rent to ED. This action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act i.e. PMLA, under which confiscated properties can be taken into possession.
ED says that YIL committed ‘fraud’ by acquiring AJL’s properties at a very low price, due to which Congress leaders got undue benefit. Subramanian Swamy called it an act of malicious intent aimed at taking over properties linked to the freedom struggle.
The Congress has consistently termed the action as a political vendetta by the BJP. The party claims that YIL is a non-profit company and the properties of AJL are still with it and not in the name of any individual.
Party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that this is a strange case of money laundering without any evidence, in which no property was transferred. The Congress also argued that the National Herald is a legacy of the freedom struggle and the attack on it is an insult to nationalist leaders. The party accused the ED and other central agencies of targeting opposition leaders at the behest of the BJP.
The action has created a new storm in Indian politics. The Congress is looking at it as a strategy of the BJP aimed at weakening the party ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. The Congress is already on the backfoot after the recent massive victory of the BJP in Delhi. This action of ED can create more problems for Congress as it can affect its credibility among the public. On the other hand, BJP is presenting it as a fight against corruption.
It is believed that Congress will challenge this case in the court, but it will not be easy given the strong legal position of ED. The next decision of the Supreme Court can be decisive. By the way, this action of ED can further hurt the image of Congress, especially when it is already facing organizational and electoral challenges.
The National Herald case has become not just a legal investigation but a big battlefield of Indian politics. ED’s action has put Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the dock, but the answer is still not found whether this is a fight against corruption or a strategy to suppress the opposition.
