A fresh FIR has been registered by Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, based on a complaint forwarded by the Enforcement Directorate. The FIR, lodged on October 3, marks a significant escalation in the longstanding legal and political battle surrounding the financial affairs of the National Herald and its parent company.
The FIR has been filed under Indian Penal Code sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property) and 420 (cheating). Alongside Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, six other individuals and three companies have been named, including Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda. The three firms mentioned are Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), Young Indian and Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd.
The allegations focus on the takeover of AJL by Young Indian. According to investigators, the accused conspired to acquire control of AJL through a series of fraudulent financial transactions. The FIR states that Young Indian effectively gained possession of AJL — and its assets estimated at nearly ₹2,000 crore — by paying the Congress party only ₹50 lakh. A crucial part of the alleged scheme is the transfer of ₹1 crore from Dotex to Young Indian, which authorities say enabled the acquisition and acted as the financial bridge in the purported conspiracy.
With the FIR now in place, the National Herald case enters a new phase, paving the way for further inquiry and widening the scope of investigation into the transactions and individuals involved.
