Gandhis Oppose ED Plea in National Herald Case, Call It ‘Abuse of Process of Law’
The Gandhis said the agency’s case rests on a private complaint and not an FIR, which they argued makes the money laundering prosecution unsustainable.
- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi filed replies in the Delhi High Court on September 18, 2026, opposing the Enforcement Directorate's petition to overturn a trial court order in the National Herald-linked money laundering case.
- Previously, the Rouse Avenue Court rejected the ED's complaint in December 2025, ruling it "impermissible in law" because the probe lacked an FIR and relied solely on a private complaint by Subramanian Swamy.
- Arguing against the ED's revision, the Gandhis stated the Prevention of Money Laundering Act requires a police-filed FIR, calling the agency's reliance on a private complaint "an abuse of the process of law."
- Contending the trial court's order creates a loophole for money launderers, the ED has challenged the decision before the High Court, which listed the matter for further hearing on October 12.
- Whether a private complaint can serve as a "foundational instrument for investigation" under PMLA provisions remains the central dispute that will determine the case's legal trajectory and future outcome.
14 Articles
14 Articles
National Herald Case: Sonia-Rahul File Reply In Delhi HC, Oppose ED’s Plea
<p>Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have filed their replies before the Delhi High Court opposing the Enforcement Directorate’s challenge to a trial court order in the National Herald-linked money laundering case. The ED had moved the High Court after the Rouse Avenue Court refused to take cognisance of its complaint against the Gandhis and others. The trial court had held that the ED’s complaint could not proceed in the absence of…
Private complaint cannot be ED’s foundation for National Herald case, say Sonia, Rahul
In the National Herald case, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have opposed the ED’s plea before the Delhi High Court, arguing that a private complaint cannot form the basis for PMLA proceedings.
Sonia, Rahul Gandhi challenge ED's National Herald case in Delhi HC, call plea 'abuse of process of law'
According to the replies, the ED’s prosecution cannot be sustained because the proceedings originated from Swamy’s 2013 private complaint rather than a police-registered FIR.
Gandhis oppose ED plea in National Herald case, call it ‘abuse of process of law’
In their response to the ED’s revision petition, the Gandhis said the challenge is ‘not maintainable’, and that the trial court’s December 16, 2025 order is ‘perfectly legal and sound in law’
National Herald case: HC to hear ED plea against trial court order
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday, September 22, said it would hear on October 12 a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging a trial court order refusing to take cognisance of its charge sheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others in the National Herald-linked money laundering case. Justice Sachin … Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, Politics and Top Sto…
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