The Delhi High Court today asked Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others to respond to a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the National Herald case. ED has challenged the order of the trial court that refused to take cognisance of its chargesheet against them in the case.

Justice Ravinder Dudeja issued notice to the Congress leaders and others on the main petition as well as on the ED’s application seeking a stay on the 16th December trial court order. The high court listed the matter for further hearing on 12th March next year. Besides Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, the high court issued notices to Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, Young Indian, Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd and Sunil Bhandari on the ED’s plea.

The ED has accused all of them of conspiracy and money laundering. It has been alleged that they acquired properties worth approximately two thousand crore rupees belonging to Associated Journals Limited, which publishes the National Herald newspaper.