According to an official statement issued on Saturday, the ED has served notices at three locations on Friday, including:
Herald House at ITO, Delhi
AJL premises in Bandra, Mumbai
AJL building on Bisheshwar Nath Road, Lucknow
The notices seek vacation of the properties in Delhi and Lucknow, while in Mumbai, the occupants have been given the option to transfer rent payments directly to the ED, as reported by news agency PTI.
The action has been taken under Section 8 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED’s money laundering investigation centers on Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and its holding company Young Indian Private Limited, which owns AJL. The National Herald newspaper, once established by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, is published by AJL.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi each hold 38% of shares in Young Indian, making them the largest shareholders in the company.
The original complaint in the case was filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who accused the Gandhis of criminal misappropriation. According to the complaint, Young Indian acquired AJL’s assets—estimated to be worth over ₹5,000 crore—for a nominal amount in 2010.
While the ED continues with its legal proceedings, the Congress party has so far not issued an official statement regarding the fresh seizure notices. Party leaders have previously denied any wrongdoing, calling the investigation politically motivated.
The latest development marks a significant escalation in the long-running case, with legal experts indicating that further action, including court hearings and asset valuation assessments, is likely to follow in the coming weeks.