- By Raju Kumar
- Sat, 20 Dec 2025 12:10 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
National Herald Case: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday approached the Delhi High Court after a setback from the Rouse Avenue Court over the National Herald case. The court on Tuesday declined to take cognisance of its money laundering chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the high-profile case.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts declined to take cognisance of the ED's prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the absence of an FIR. The ED complaint was based on an investigation into a complaint by a private person, Subramanian Swamy, and not on an FIR of a predicate offence, the judge said.
However, while declining cognisance, the court clarified that it was not examining the merits of the allegations.
What Is The ED's Argument?
The probe agency, in its appeal to the High Court, questioned the trial court's findings and sought appellate review, arguing that the refusal to proceed has caused serious prejudice to the investigation and prosecution. Challenging these findings before the Delhi High Court, the ED has sought the setting aside of the trial court's order and permission to proceed with the prosecution complaint under the PMLA.
Reacting to the Rouse Avenue Court's ruling, senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi had termed it a "deserved victory" and described the case as the "strangest ever."
Vendetta Politics Exposed: Congress
Ealier, on Wednesday, the Congress demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation after a Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the ED's money laundering charge against Gandhis. The opposition party also vowed to expose the "vendetta politics" against its leadership, asserting that the Congress cadres are agitated and are going to show their strength against this "misuse of agencies" by the government to target opposition leaders.
(With agencies inputs)