In a significant legal development, a Delhi court has declined to take cognisance of a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the high-profile National Herald case. The decision, delivered on December 16, 2025, marks a notable moment in the long-running investigation.
Court's Rationale for Rejection
Special Judge Vishal Gogne, presiding over the case, pointed to a fundamental legal issue in the ED's approach. The judge noted that the chargesheet, or prosecution complaint, submitted by the federal agency was not based on an investigation stemming from a First Information Report (FIR) for a predicate offence. Instead, the ED's case was built upon an inquiry into a complaint made by a private individual.
This distinction is crucial in cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which the ED is investigating. Legal experts suggest that a predicate offence—an underlying crime that generates the proceeds later alleged to be laundered—typically forms the foundation for a PMLA case. The court's observation highlights a potential procedural gap in the agency's complaint against the senior Congress leaders.
Background of the National Herald Case
The National Herald case revolves around allegations of financial irregularities concerning the acquisition of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the historic National Herald newspaper, by Young Indian Private Limited. The Congress party has consistently dismissed the case as a politically motivated attack.
The Enforcement Directorate had been investigating the matter under money laundering provisions and had subsequently filed its complaint before the court, seeking to initiate proceedings against Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. The court's refusal to take cognisance means the legal process based on this specific ED complaint will not move forward at this stage.
Implications and Next Steps
This court order represents a temporary but important legal relief for the Gandhis in this particular strand of the National Herald proceedings. It does not, however, signify a closure of the overall case or other potential investigations related to it.
The Enforcement Directorate retains the option to appeal the decision in a higher court or potentially explore other legal avenues to pursue its allegations. The Congress party is likely to hail the decision as a vindication of its stance that the case lacks legal merit and is an instrument of political harassment.
As reported by Ashish Tripathi, the development on December 16, 2025, adds another complex layer to the ongoing political and legal narrative surrounding one of the most watched cases in Indian politics. The focus now shifts to the agency's response and whether it will challenge the special court's ruling.
