NEW DELHI, May 23: Bharatiya Janata Party’s National General Secretary Tarun Chugh launched a scathing attack on the Congress leadership on Friday, accusing Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of orchestrating a massive fraud involving the National Herald.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital, Chugh alleged that the Congress high command was misusing a historic institution for personal gain. “The looting of the National Herald is not just financial fraud, it is proof of the height of moral degradation of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi,” he said.
Referring to them as “modern Gandhis,” Chugh said, “They are looting the National Herald, an institution founded by freedom fighters, through sheer fraud and forgery. It is a betrayal of the legacy of those who sacrificed for India’s independence.”
The BJP leader said the actions of the Congress leadership have deeply insulted the values of honesty and nationalism that the party once stood for during the freedom movement. “It is tragic that a paper which once voiced the conscience of the nation is now at the centre of corruption and deceit,” Chugh added.
He demanded accountability and legal action against those involved, calling the case a “national disgrace.” The National Herald case, involving alleged misappropriation of assets by Congress leaders, remains under legal scrutiny.
The National Herald case is a high-profile legal matter involving senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The case centers on allegations of financial misconduct and money laundering related to the acquisition of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper, by Young Indian (YI), a company in which the Gandhis hold a majority stake.
Origins of the Case
In 2012, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a complaint alleging that the Indian National Congress (INC) had extended an interest-free loan of ₹90.25 crore to AJL, which was not repaid. Subsequently, AJL’s shares were transferred to Young Indian for a nominal sum of ₹50 lakh. This transaction effectively gave YI control over AJL’s assets, which were valued at approximately ₹2,000 crore. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi jointly hold a 76% stake in Young Indian.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been investigating the matter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In its recent filings, the ED alleged that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi received ₹142 crore as “proceeds of crime” through the acquisition of AJL by Young Indian . The ED contends that Young Indian was created as a “sham” entity to facilitate the transfer of AJL’s valuable properties to the Gandhis.
The case is currently being heard in a Delhi court, with daily hearings scheduled to commence from July 2, 2025 . The ED has filed a chargesheet against seven individuals, including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of orchestrating a criminal conspiracy to usurp properties belonging to AJL .
The Congress party has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, accusing the ruling BJP of using investigative agencies to target opposition leaders. Congress leaders have described the ED’s actions as a form of political vendetta aimed at discrediting the party’s leadership.
As of now, the court has acknowledged a prima facie case of money laundering against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. The upcoming hearings are expected to delve deeper into the allegations and determine the extent of any financial improprieties involved in the case.
