Delhi HC Gives Sonia, Rahul Gandhi 3 Weeks to Reply in ED National Herald Case
The Delhi High Court on July 27, 2026, granted three weeks to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others to respond to a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate. The agency is challenging a trial court order that refused to take cognisance of its chargesheet against them in the National Herald-linked money laundering case.
Justice Manoj Jain scheduled the next hearing for September 10, stating that the court could not hear the matter immediately due to a heavy board with two other time-fixed matters. The bench ordered that replies be filed within three weeks if not already submitted, after senior counsel representing the respondents sought additional time.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, argued that the trial court had gone terribly wrong in its ruling. He informed the court that the respondents had failed to file a reply despite being granted time two months prior, maintaining that the petition revolves around a pure question of law.
The High Court had previously issued notices on December 22, 2025, to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, Young Indian, Dotex Merchandise Private Limited, and Sunil Bhandari. The notices were issued on the main petition as well as an application seeking a stay on a December 16 trial court order that held cognisance of the complaint impermissible without an FIR.
In its December order, the trial court ruled that an investigation and prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act were not maintainable without an FIR registered by a law enforcement agency. It noted that the probe stemmed from a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in 2014, and that the Central Bureau of Investigation had not registered an FIR regarding the alleged scheduled offence.
The agency countered in its High Court plea that cognisance taken by a competent court on a private complaint stands on a higher footing than a police FIR. It claimed the trial court decision effectively provides a pass to money launderers whenever a scheduled offence is brought to light through a private complaint to a magistrate.
The Enforcement Directorate has accused Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, late Congress leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and Young Indian of conspiracy and money laundering. It alleges they fraudulently acquired properties worth approximately Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited, publisher of the National Herald newspaper, with the Gandhis holding 76 per cent of shares in Young Indian.
