Enforcement Directorate (ED) suffers setback in National Herald case, Rouse Avenue Court refuses to take cognisance of chargesheet
Court's big question: How did the money laundering investigation begin without an FIR?
Pawan Khera's attack: Allegations of misuse of government agencies
Legal relief for Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, Congress claims to protect democracy
Congress gets major relief in Nthe ational Herald case. Rouse Avenue Court refuses to take cognisance of ED's chargesheet, Pawan Khera accuses the government of conspiracy.
New Delhi, December 16, 2025. The Congress leadership has received a major relief in the National Herald money laundering case. Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court has refused to take cognizance of the chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court clearly stated that when a proper FIR has not been registered in the original crime, the investigation and prosecution process conducted by the ED cannot be considered valid.
This court decision is being seen as a significant legal victory for Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In its order, the court also clarified that under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), an FIR is mandatory for the ED before it can initiate an investigation. Without this, the entire basis of the investigation is questioned.
Following this decision, the Congress party launched a scathing attack on the central government and investigating agencies.
At a press conference in Delhi, AICC Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera said that what the Congress party has been saying and writing for the past 12 years has been vindicated by the court's decision today.
Pawan Khera alleged that the "Gangs of Gandhinagar" are using constitutional institutions like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department as their private armies.
He said that the National Herald case was a "fake and political conspiracy" that has now been exposed.
Kheda questioned why this conspiracy was hatched. According to him, the country's democracy is in serious danger, and if anyone has held it together, it is Rahul Gandhi. This is why the ruling party repeatedly resorts to such tactics to break Rahul Gandhi's morale.
The Congress leader said that this conspiracy is not directed against any single leader or party, but against the fundamental rights of every citizen of the country and the democratic system. The public has entrusted the responsibility of protecting democracy to the opposition, and the opposition, especially Rahul Gandhi, is fulfilling this responsibility with full strength, which is what hurts the ruling party the most.
This court decision in the National Herald case not only raises questions about the ED's actions but also adds a new edge to the opposition's allegations of misuse of investigative agencies. The political and legal implications of this decision are likely to deepen in the coming days.
