NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court is set to hear a crucial petition by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today, Monday, April 20, 2026. The agency is challenging a trial court decision that refused to take cognisance of its chargesheet against senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and several others in the high-profile National Herald money laundering case.
The hearing, presided over by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, follows a December 2025 ruling where a trial court deemed the ED’s complaint “impermissible in law” because it was not based on an official FIR.
The Legal Conflict: Private Complaint vs. FIR
The core of the legal battle rests on whether the ED can prosecute a money laundering case stemming from a private complaint rather than an FIR registered by a law enforcement agency like the CBI or police.
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Trial Court Ruling: Held that without an FIR for a “scheduled offence” under the PMLA, the ED’s probe is not maintainable.
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ED’s Stance: Argued by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the agency claims this ruling provides a “hall pass” to money launderers. The ED maintains that a court-validated private complaint carries more legal weight than a mere FIR.
Key Figures and Allegations
Beyond the Gandhi family, the High Court has issued notices to several associated individuals and entities:
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Individuals: Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, and Sunil Bhandari.
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Entities: Young Indian and Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd.
The ED alleges a massive conspiracy involving the “fraudulent” acquisition of Associated Journals Limited (AJL) assets worth approximately ₹2,000 crore. The agency claims the Gandhis, holding a 76% stake in Young Indian, usurped these assets in exchange for a ₹90 crore loan.
What to Expect Today
The court will revisit the “neat question of law” regarding the ED’s powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The outcome could have significant implications for how financial crimes originating from private complaints are prosecuted in India.
As the legal teams for both the Gandhis and the central agency prepare for arguments, the political and legal circles remain closely focused on Justice Sharma’s courtroom for a potential landmark clarification on investigative jurisdiction.
