₹2,000-Crore Question: Did Rahul–Sonia Game the National Herald?
New Delhi: The National Herald case has taken a fresh legal turn, with the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) filing a new FIR naming Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with several associates, on charges of criminal conspiracy and financial irregularities.
The FIR, registered on 3 October, lists six individuals — including the Gandhis and overseas Congress figure Sam Pitroda — and three companies: Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), Young Indian, and Dotex Merchandise Pvt. Ltd.
Congress reacts after Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi were charged with criminal conspiracy in the National Herald case @anushkagarg2000 reports pic.twitter.com/Btn5DBt7gO
— NDTV (@ndtv) November 30, 2025
Investigators allege that Kolkata-based Dotex transferred ₹1 crore to Young Indian, a not-for-profit entity in which Sonia and Rahul jointly hold a 76% stake. The funds were allegedly used to facilitate Young Indian’s acquisition of AJL, publisher of the historic National Herald newspaper.
Officials claim that for just ₹50 lakh, Young Indian gained effective control of AJL — a company linked to real-estate assets estimated to be worth around ₹2,000 crore. The allegation suggests a deliberate undervaluation as part of a conspiracy to take possession of high-value properties through a political-corporate channel.
The FIR stems from findings earlier submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has been probing the case for financial misconduct and money laundering.
The development ramps up legal scrutiny of the Congress leadership and injects fresh political turbulence into the ongoing controversy surrounding the legacy and finances of the National Herald.
