The National Herald case has again come into focus as the Delhi High Court issued a notice to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with other accused, seeking their reply following a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED had approached the High Court challenging a trial court order which refused to take cognisance of its chargesheet against the Gandhis and other accused.

Appearing for the central probe agency, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the ED has completed its investigation in the National Herald case, collected substantial evidence, and conducted multiple searches related to the matter. He argued that the trial court committed an error in refusing to take cognisance of the chargesheet, which forms the basis of ED’s plea.

The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for March 12, 2026, allowing the Gandhis and other accused to submit their responses. This follows a significant development last week when the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi had refused to take cognisance of the ED chargesheet. Special Judge Vishal Gogne dismissed the complaint, terming the chargesheet as "not maintainable."

Apart from Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, the ED had named Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, Young Indian, Dotex Merchandise, and Sunil Bhandari as the main accused in the case. The central probe agency alleged that these individuals and entities had fraudulently acquired properties worth approximately Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which publishes the National Herald newspaper. The ED claimed that the Gandhis controlled around 76 percent of shares in Young Indian, which allegedly misappropriated AJL assets against a Rs 90 crore loan.

The Congress party welcomed the earlier trial court ruling, criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for “exaggerating” the matter. Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi described it as a “very weird case” where there was neither a millimeter movement of money nor immovable property, asserting that all AJL properties remained intact despite the allegations of money laundering.

However, the BJP maintained that the Gandhis remain accused in the case, emphasizing that the court did not give them a “clean chit.” BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that substantial evidence exists against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with the National Herald case, highlighting the political significance of the case in addition to its legal implications.

The case has drawn nationwide attention, not just for the alleged financial irregularities but also due to the involvement of high-profile political figures. It underscores the ongoing scrutiny faced by prominent leaders in financial and property disputes in India, while also bringing attention to the functioning of investigative agencies like the ED.

As the National Herald case news continues to unfold, the upcoming hearings at the Delhi High Court are likely to be closely monitored by legal experts, political commentators, and the general public. The matter raises critical questions regarding corporate governance, alleged misuse of entities for financial gain, and the intersection of law and politics in high-stakes cases.

With the ED maintaining that the investigation is thorough and the Congress defending the Gandhis’ position, the National Herald case promises to remain a key topic in Indian political and legal discourse through 2026.

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