Delhi Police Files Fresh FIR Against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in National Herald Case

Fresh FIR Registered in National Herald Case

The Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) against senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with six other individuals and three entities, in connection with the long-running National Herald case. The FIR, dated October 3, 2025, and made public on Sunday, November 30, 2025, stems from a detailed complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). It alleges serious offenses including criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, and dishonest misappropriation of property related to the acquisition of assets belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper.

Background of the National Herald Case

The National Herald case originated from a private complaint filed in 2012 by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy. He alleged financial irregularities in the acquisition of AJL by Young Indian (YI) Private Limited. AJL, founded in 1938 by Jawaharlal Nehru, published the National Herald, Navjivan, and Qaumi Awaz newspapers.

The core of the allegations revolves around an interest-free loan of ₹90.21 crore (earlier reported as ₹90.25 crore) provided by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to AJL. This loan was allegedly treated as non-recoverable. In 2010, the AICC assigned its right to recover this loan to Young Indian for a nominal sum of ₹50 lakh. Young Indian, a not-for-profit company, subsequently gained control of nearly all of AJL's shares and its valuable real estate assets, which are estimated to be worth over ₹2,000 crore.

Allegations and Accused Parties

The fresh FIR specifically alleges an 'elaborate criminal conspiracy' to fraudulently take over AJL's properties. The accused are alleged to have exploited these assets by engaging in 'fraudulent activities such as collecting bogus rents or generating fake revenue through sham advertisements, thereby laundering illicit money under the guise of legitimate transactions'.

Besides Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, who together hold a 76 percent stake in Young Indian, the FIR names six other individuals and entities:

• Suman Dubey
• Sam Pitroda
• Sunil Bhandari (promoter of Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd)
• Young Indian (YI)
• Dotex Merchandise Private Limited
• Associated Journals Limited (AJL)

The ED's complaint highlights that properties given at concessional rates for public welfare activities were allegedly diverted for personal gain.

Official Reactions and Legal Developments

The Congress party has strongly refuted the allegations, labeling the FIR as 'completely bogus' and a 'one trick wonder of a case where no money moved, where no immovable property transferred yet money laundering (was) invented'. They have consistently dismissed the investigation as 'politically motivated' and an act of 'vendetta politics' by the 'Modi-Shah duo'.

In response, the BJP has dismissed the Congress's claims as 'baseless'. BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that it is a 'clear case of corruption and misappropriation' and urged the Congress leaders to account for the alleged 'loot' rather than making speeches. He also noted that the matter predates the current government.

This fresh FIR follows previous actions by the ED, which had filed a chargesheet in the case in April 2025 and provisionally attached AJL properties worth ₹751.91 crore in November 2023. The Rouse Avenue Court had recently deferred its decision on whether to take cognizance of the ED's chargesheet to December 16, 2025, noting that the accused have a 'right to be heard' before any decision is made.