New Delhi, April 16, 2025 – The BJP reignited the National Herald case Tuesday, accusing the Gandhi family of “looting” public funds via Young Indian Pvt Ltd, as Congress workers protested ED raids on party-linked offices in Delhi. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, addressing a presser, claimed Sonia and Rahul Gandhi’s firm grabbed Rs 600 crore in assets meant for “poor journalists” (NDTV). Congress hit back, calling it a “vendetta” to crush dissent, with 200 supporters rallying outside 24 Akbar Road (The Indian Express).
The case, simmering since 2012, centers on Young Indian’s takeover of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), publisher of National Herald. ED alleges a Rs 90 crore loan write-off and property grabs—AJL’s Rs 2,000 crore assets span Delhi, Mumbai (The Hindu). “It’s a scam—Gandhis run a real estate mafia,” Rijiju said, citing 2015 court orders (Times of India). Congress’s Jairam Ramesh countered, “BJP’s scared of our comeback—raids are panic” (The Economic Times). X splits—“Gandhis exposed!” vs. “ED’s BJP’s lapdog!” (post:1).
Protests flared after ED sealed Herald House Monday—50 officials probed 12 sites (India Today). Congress’s 99 Lok Sabha seats in 2024 give it fight—Sonia’s 2013 closure of AJL presses didn’t kill scrutiny (Business Standard). Delhi’s 2024 saw 15 ED raids on opposition—none on BJP (CAG). “We’re clean—let’s debate,” Rahul told NDTV. For India’s 14 crore voters, it’s a trust tug-of-war—will raids sink Congress, or fuel its fire?
