Congress attacks 'Modi-Shah duo' on FIR against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi: 'Mischievous politics of vendetta'

Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi during Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022 (File photo)

The Congress on Sunday accused the “Modi-Shah duo” of pursuing what it described as intimidation and political vendetta, reacting sharply to news that the Delhi Police had registered an FIR against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and several others in the National Herald matter.

In a post on X, party communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh said, “The Modi-Shah duo is continuing with its mischievous politics of harassment, intimidation, and vendetta against the top leadership of the INC. Those who threaten are themselves insecure and afraid.”

Calling the National Herald allegations a “completely bogus case,” he added, “Justice will ultimately triumph. Satyameva Jayate.”

The FIR, filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on October 3, stems from a complaint made by the Enforcement Directorate as part of its money-laundering inquiry.

The ED has claimed that the Gandhis and others connected to the Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL) and Young Indian (YI) had “abused” their positions for personal benefit.

Police invoked IPC sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust), and 420 (cheating).

Besides Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, the list includes Congress leaders Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey, Sunil Bhandari of Dotex Merchandise Ltd., AJL, YI, Dotex, and “unknown others.”

These individuals and entities (except unknown persons) also appear in the ED’s chargesheet submitted to a Delhi court in April. The court has not yet taken cognisance, and the matter is slated to come up on December 16.

A day earlier, the same court -- presided over by Special Judge Vishal Gogne -- postponed the order on whether to take note of the ED chargesheet, rescheduling the decision for December 16.

Congress leaders have repeatedly described the entire process as “petty vendetta tactics,” even going so far as to label the ED a “coalition partner” of the BJP. Party spokespeople maintain the case lacks substance and insist the investigation is driven only by political motives.