New Delhi, India (Agencies): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has charged senior Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, along with others, in a high-profile money laundering case, sparking nationwide protests planned by the opposition Congress party. The charges center on allegations of illegally acquiring assets worth over 20 billion rupees ($233 million) linked to the now-defunct National Herald newspaper.
The ED presented its findings in a Delhi court on Tuesday, accusing the Gandhis of forming a shell company to take over Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald. The investigation, initiated in 2021 following a complaint by BJP member Subramanian Swamy, claims the Gandhis used party funds to acquire AJL properties at a fraction of their value.
Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh dismissed the charges as “politics of vendetta and intimidation” by the ruling government. The Gandhis, who each own 38% of Young Indian, the company at the center of the allegations, have denied any wrongdoing but have yet to comment on the latest developments.
The ED alleges that Young Indian acquired AJL properties worth 20 billion rupees for just 5 million rupees, significantly undervaluing the assets. Notices have been issued to seize assets worth 6.6 billion rupees across multiple cities, including Delhi and Mumbai.
The case has reignited accusations from the opposition that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is weaponizing the ED to target political rivals. Data shows that since Modi came to power in 2014, the ED has summoned or raided around 150 opposition politicians.
The case is set for a hearing on April 25, with Congress leaders vowing to fight the charges and mobilize public support through nationwide protests. The political fallout from this case is expected to intensify as India approaches key elections.