NEW DELHI, Apr 12: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it has started proceedings to take possession of properties worth Rs 661 crore linked to Congress-controlled Associated Journals Limited (also known as National Herald) in a money laundering case.
The probe agency said on Saturday that it issued notices to property registrars in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow, where the immovable assets National Herald were located. The action has been taken under Section (8) and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The probe agency attached these immovable assets in November, 2023.
“As part of the process to take possession of the tainted properties in the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) money laundering case, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in compliance with Section 8 of PMLA, 2002 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking Possession of Attached or Frozen Properties Confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013, on 11.04.2025 has served notices to Registrars of property in Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow having jurisdiction of the area where AJL properties are located,” ED said in a statement.
A separate notice has been issued to Jindal South West Projects, the current occupant of three floors in Herald House, Mumbai. The company has been directed to deposit all future rent payments directly with the ED.
“A notice under Rule 5 (3) of Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking Possession of Attached or Frozen Properties Confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013 has also been served on 11.04.2025 to M/s Jindal South West Projects Limited which occupying 7th, 8th, and 9thfloor at Herald House, Bandra (E), Mumbai, to transfer the rent / lease amount every month in favour of Director, Directorate of Enforcement,” the statement added.
The ED’s probe, which began in 2021, stems from a complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in 2014 before a Delhi court. The complaint has alleged that a criminal conspiracy was hatched by several prominent political figures, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and a host of other Congress leaders and a private company Young Indian for alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme related to the fraudulent takeover of properties valued over Rs 2000 crore belonging to AJL.
ED investigation has revealed that Young Indian, beneficially owned by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL properties for a mere Rs. 50 Lakh, significantly undervaluing its worth. Despite legal challenges, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court allowed the investigation to proceed. During the probe, the ED conducted searches and seizures at multiple locations and claimed to have uncovered documents pointing to additional layers of financial irregularities.
(Manas Dasgupta)
