Delhi court declines ED's plea to issue notices to Sonia, Rahul Gandhi in National Herald case

A Delhi court on Friday rejected to issue immediate notices to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with a money laundering case involving the party's publication, the National Herald, citing a lack of relevant documents presented by the Enforcement Directorate.

The court was considering the central agency's argument, which maintained that cognizance of the complaint cannot be taken without first hearing the accused, as required by the PMLA. According to the agency's chargesheet, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are accused number one and two, respectively. "I do not want this order to be continued. "Let notice be issued," ED informed the court.

However, Special Judge Vishal Gogne stated that the court is not yet convinced that a notice to the accused was required, and that the court must look for any flaws in the agency's chargesheet. "Ahlmad (court record keeper) has underlined that several documents are missing from the chargesheet. ED is directed to file the paperwork. The court will then decide on the issue of notice," the court stated.