National Herald Case: Kharge Seeks PM Modi, Amit Shah’s Resignation After Court Relief to Gandhis
After the Delhi court declined the ED charge sheet, Kharge accused the BJP of a vendetta and sought PM Modi and Shah’s resignation.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on December 17, 2025, describing a Delhi court's refusal to take cognisance of an Enforcement Directorate (ED) charge sheet in the National Herald case as a "slap in the face" to the duo. The special judge at Rouse Avenue court on Tuesday rejected the ED's complaint against senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, ruling it impermissible in law.
Kharge, addressing a press conference, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of pursuing the case with "political vendetta" and "malice" to harass the Gandhi family. He called the allegations "false" and aimed at defaming the National Herald newspaper, founded in 1938 by freedom fighters, by linking it to money laundering claims.
The Congress chief argued that the case lacked substance but was weaponised to target opposition leaders, stating that Modi and Shah should resign and pledging not to misuse agencies against political rivals in the future. He welcomed the verdict as a triumph of truth and justice.
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The court observed that the ED's prosecution complaint was based on a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy under Section 200 CrPC, rather than an FIR, making cognisance unlawful. It criticised the ED for "unilateral overreach" and outpacing the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) scheme.
The National Herald case stems from allegations that Young Indian Private Limited—a company associated with the Gandhis—acquired assets of Associated Journals Limited (publisher of National Herald) in a manner amounting to money laundering. The ED's charge sheet had sought to summon Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. Kharge's strong reaction underscores escalating political tensions, with Congress viewing the ruling as vindication against alleged misuse of central agencies, while the BJP has yet to respond officially to the demands.
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