Overview
ED Issues Seizure Notices for ₹988 Cr AJL Properties- On April 11, 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated the process to take possession of immovable assets valued at ₹661 crore, previously attached in connection with the National Herald money laundering case. The properties, located in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow, are associated with Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper. Young Indian Private Limited, a company in which Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi hold significant shares, owns AJL.
Legal Proceedings and Asset Details
The ED’s action follows the confirmation of a provisional attachment order issued in November 2023 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Adjudicating Authority upheld this order on April 10, 2024. The assets in question include:
- Herald House, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Delhi
- A building in Bandra (East), Mumbai
- A property on Bisheshwar Nath Road, Lucknow
Additionally, the ED has directed Jindal South West Projects Limited, the occupant of three floors in the Mumbai property, to transfer monthly rent payments directly to the agency.
Background of the Case
The investigation stems from a 2014 complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, alleging that Young Indian acquired AJL’s assets, valued over ₹2,000 crore, for a mere ₹50 lakh. The ED’s probe, initiated in 2021, uncovered alleged laundering of ₹988 crore through:
- Bogus donations amounting to ₹18 crore
- Fictitious advance rent totaling ₹38 crore
- False advertisement revenues of ₹29 crore
These findings suggest a complex scheme of financial misappropriation involving prominent political figures.
Political Reactions
The Congress party has criticized the ED’s actions, labeling them as politically motivated. Party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi stated that the proceedings are an attempt to harass political opponents and that appropriate legal remedies will be pursued.
Additional Context
The National Herald case is part of a broader investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving Congress leaders. The ED has previously attached assets worth ₹751.9 crore in this case. Furthermore, the AJL-National Herald Panchkula land allotment case, involving former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, is under investigation for the alleged illegal re-allotment of land to AJL at below-market rates. citeturn0search17
Conclusion
The ED’s move to seize assets linked to the National Herald case marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving key Congress figures. The legal proceedings continue to unfold, with implications for the political landscape in India.
For further information, refer to the following sources:
Note: This article is based on information available as of April 12, 2025. For the latest updates, please refer to official sources and news outlets.
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