The National Herald case concerns how Young Indian, 76% held by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, gained about 99% of Associated Journals Limited by taking over a Rs 90…
Jawaharlal Nehru launched the paper in Lucknow. Its publisher, Associated Journals Limited, was a public company, not owned by the Congress.
Loss-making AJL suspended publication. By then it owed the Congress about Rs 90 crore in interest-free loans.
The Congress assigned AJL's debt to Young Indian for Rs 50 lakh. AJL converted it into shares, giving Young Indian about 99% of AJL.
Cheating, breach of trust, misappropriation and conspiracy in the AJL takeover. These are allegations, not findings.
Found a prima facie case and summoned Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and four others. Summons is not a finding of guilt.
It refused to quash the case but exempted the accused from appearing in person. Bail had been granted in December 2015.
Rahul Gandhi over five days in June 2022, Sonia Gandhi in three rounds in July. Neither was arrested.
AJL properties in Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow and Young Indian's AJL shares. Attached, not confiscated.
A money-laundering case cannot rest on a private complaint without an FIR, it held. It did not weigh the evidence; the ED may keep investigating.
The High Court refused the ED's status-quo request and will decide its appeal finally. A 2025 Delhi Police FIR is under investigation. No one is convicted.
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