ED issues notice to take possession of ₹661 crore assets in Congress-linked National Herald case

In an investigation into the money laundering case against Congress-controlled Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced on Saturday that it has sent orders to seize immovable properties valued at ₹661 crore. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Sonia Gandhi, the former president of the Congress, are identified as the defendants in what is more often known as the National Herald case.

The notifications were posted at three locations on Friday, according to a statement from the federal investigation agency. These are the AJL building on Bisheshwar Nath Road in Lucknow, the Herald House at ITO in Delhi, and the premises in the Bandra neighborhood of Mumbai. The notices request a vacation of the premises in Lucknow and Delhi. According to news agency PTI, the company has the option of giving the ED the rent for the Mumbai building.

Section 8 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which address the process of obtaining the assets that have been attached by the ED and validated by the adjudicating authority (of PMLA), have been used to conduct this action. In November 2023, the ED seized these real estate holdings.