National Herald Case Explained: Why AJL and YIL Put the Gandhis Under ED Scrutiny

The National Herald case is about the purported money laundering by two firms: Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and Young Indian Limited (YIL). AJL, founded by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938, published the National Herald newspaper and owned properties worth over ₹2,000 crore. Young Indian—owned by Sonia...

The National Herald case is about the purported money laundering by two firms: Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and Young Indian Limited (YIL). AJL, founded by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938, published the National Herald newspaper and owned properties worth over ₹2,000 crore. Young Indian—owned by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi with a 76% stake—acquired AJL in 2011 for just ₹50 lakh, with an allegedly Congress party loan. ED alleges this was a fraudulent takeover to grab AJL's valuable assets, generating illegal funds by way of fictitious donations, advance rent, and advertisements. ED has chargesheeted Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others, and attached properties worth ₹661 crore. Congress considers the case, which was initiated after Subramanian Swamy complained, to be political vendetta, but the probe continues with the next court hearing on April 25 Source: India Today, Indian Express, Hindustan Times