Fresh FIR against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi in National Herald case; Congress calls it 'politics of harassment'
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Fresh FIR against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi in National Herald case; Congress calls it 'politics of harassment'")
Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Photograph: (ANI)
Delhi Police’s EOW has filed a fresh FIR in the National Herald money laundering case, naming Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others. Meanwhile, a Delhi court has deferred its decision on taking cognisance of the ED chargesheet to December 16.
The Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) filed a new FIR in the National Herald money laundering case on Sunday.
The FIR included six names, in addition to Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. It was registered after the ED headquarters filed a complaint with the EOW. Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi again adjourned the decision on whether to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) chargesheet in the National Herald money laundering case.
The chargesheet names several senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, and others, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED has alleged financial irregularities involving Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the original publisher of the National Herald. The court is now set to pronounce its order on December 16.
Earlier, the court had issued notices to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others, noting that they have a "right to be heard" before any decision on cognisance is taken. Special Judge Vishal Gogne stressed that this right is essential for a fair trial, as supported by Section 223 of the new criminal law (BNSS).
The court highlighted that Section 223 allows the accused a special opportunity to be heard even before cognisance is taken. This provision, it said, does not conflict with the PMLA but, instead, strengthens fairness and transparency in criminal proceedings. The judge also noted that BNSS is a progressive law intended to protect the rights of the accused.
The court further observed that the predicate offence, already under trial at Rouse Avenue Court, includes IPC Sections 403, 406, 420, and 120B. As per PMLA rules, the predicate offence and the money laundering case must be heard in the same court.
The National Herald case originated from a complaint filed by former MP Subramanian Swamy, alleging misuse of funds by Congress leaders and companies linked to AJL.
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Sunday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing the "Modi-Shah duo" of pursuing a campaign of harassment and intimidation against the top leadership of the Congress party following the filing of a fresh FIR in the National Herald money laundering case.
In a post on X, the Congress leader alleged that PM Modi and Shah were engaged in a "mischievous politics of harassment, intimidation, and vendetta" against Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, following the registration of the new FIR by Delhi Police earlier in the day. "The Modi-Shah duo is continuing with its mischievous politics of harassment, intimidation, and vendetta against the top leadership of the INC. Those who threaten are themselves insecure and afraid," Ramesh said in his post.
Trending Stories
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.