National Herald case: ED serves notice to seize assets related to Congress-linked AJL case

Exclusive: ED Moves to Seize Congress-Linked AJL Assets in National Herald Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has escalated its probe into the National Herald case by issuing fresh notices to seize high-value assets belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the defunct newspaper with historical ties to the Indian National Congress. The action marks a significant turn in the decade-old financial investigation that has repeatedly sparked political fireworks between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress.  

According to officials familiar with the matter, the ED has identified prime properties in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow allegedly acquired through questionable transactions involving AJL and Young Indian Pvt. Ltd (YIL)—a firm in which Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi hold controlling stakes. The agency alleges that AJL’s assets, including a multi-story building in Delhi’s Herald House, were unlawfully transferred to YIL in a "predetermined financial maneuver," depriving shareholders of rightful claims.  

The Congress party has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, framing the ED’s latest move as part of the Modi government’s "selective targeting" of opposition leaders ahead of crucial elections. "The National Herald symbolizes India’s freedom struggle. This politically motivated raid is an assault on democratic institutions," said Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, accusing the BJP of "weaponizing investigative agencies."  

The legal roots of the case trace back to 2012 when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy first alleged financial irregularities in AJL’s ownership transfer. The Delhi High Court in 2021 greenlit further investigations, observing "prima facie evidence" of misconduct. While the Gandhis have consistently dismissed the charges as baseless, the ED’s renewed push—including recent searches and recorded statements from key figures—signals a tightening noose.  

Legal experts anticipate protracted courtroom battles as AJL and YIL prepare to challenge the seizures. Meanwhile, opposition parties are rallying behind the Congress, with several regional leaders condemning the action as an "abuse of power." The developments risk further polarizing India’s political landscape, with the BJP maintaining that "lawful scrutiny applies equally to all."  

As the saga unfolds, the National Herald case continues to fuel debates on media independence, financial accountability, and the perceived blurring of lines between investigative rigor and political vendetta. Observers warn that its outcome could set precedents for how legacy assets of political significance are managed—and scrutinized—in India’s charged electoral climate.