In a significant legal development, a Delhi court on Tuesday refused to move forward on the Enforcement Directorate’s complaint in the National Herald case, offering immediate relief to senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The order was passed by Special Judge Vishal Gogne at the Rouse Avenue Court, who ruled that the money laundering complaint filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cannot be taken up in its present form.

The court clearly stated that the complaint was not legally sustainable and dismissed it at this stage. However, the judge also observed that the matter may not be entirely closed, as a fresh First Information Report (FIR) has now been registered by the Delhi Police. The court further clarified that the Enforcement Directorate is not barred from continuing its investigation under the law.

The ED has alleged that assets worth more than ₹2,000 crore linked to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the company that publishes the National Herald newspaper, were illegally acquired through financial manipulation. Apart from Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, the agency has named several other individuals and entities, including senior Congress leaders and companies, as accused in its case.

Reacting to the court’s decision, the Congress party once again accused the central agency of misusing investigative powers for political purposes. Party leaders claimed the ruling exposed what they described as a long-running campaign of pressure and intimidation against the opposition. The ED, however, has consistently maintained that the case involves serious financial irregularities and denies allegations of political bias.

Meanwhile, the case has taken another turn with the Delhi Police registering a separate FIR based on the ED’s complaint. Notices have been issued to several individuals, including Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, whom investigators believe may possess important information related to the matter.

DK Shivakumar has strongly objected to the police notice, calling it unnecessary harassment. He has said he will respond legally but insisted that he must first be given a copy of the FIR. Shivakumar also stated that he has already cooperated with the ED in the past and questioned the need for fresh questioning without clarity on the new allegations.