The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police has lodged a new FIR in the ongoing National Herald case, bringing criminal conspiracy charges against Congress stalwarts Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The complaint, initially filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), now includes seven individuals and three companies as defendants. The core allegation revolves around a purported criminal conspiracy aimed at the illicit acquisition of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), a company with deep roots in the Congress party.
Following the ED’s submission of its investigative report on October 3, the Delhi Police acted under PMLA provisions to register the offense. Named in the FIR are not only the Gandhis but also Sam Pitroda, head of the Indian Overseas Congress, three other individuals, and three companies: Associated Journals Limited (AJL), Young Indian, and Dotex Merchandise Private Limited. Dotex, a shell company based in Kolkata, is accused of providing Rs 1 crore that was instrumental in forming Young Indian, a non-profit organization in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi hold a combined 76% share. The prosecution contends that this arrangement enabled Young Indian to gain control over AJL’s assets, estimated at Rs 2,000 crore, through a payment of just Rs 50 lakh to the Congress. This legal development occurs just before a crucial court hearing, which has been rescheduled from its original date to December 16.