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India’s Gandhis charged in money laundering case amid opposition outcry

Published

10 months ago

2025/04/16

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Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have been accused of laundering millions of dollars - charges they have strongly denied [BBC]

India’s opposition Congress party has said it will organise nationwide protests on Wednesday after the country’s financial crimes agency charged senior leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and others with money laundering.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) presented its findings in a Delhi court on Tuesday, accusing the Gandhis of forming a shell company to illegally acquire assets of the National Herald newspaper worth more than 20bn rupees ($233mn; £176mn).

Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh called the charges “politics of vendetta and intimidation” by the government.

The Gandhis who have previously denied any wrongdoing have not commented on the charges.

Getty Images Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, Vice President of India Hamid Ansari, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the release of commemorative edition of National Herald newspaper at Dr. Ambedkar Bhawan on June 12, 2017 in Bengaluru, India. — *National Herald was relaunched in 2017 as a digital news outlet [BBC]*

The investigation also names other members of the Congress party, including its overseas chief Sam Pitroda, according to news agency ANI.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) began investigating the case in 2021 after a private complaint filed by Subramanian Swamy, a member of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Swamy alleged that the Gandhis used party funds to take over Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which published the now-defunct National Herald newspaper, and illegally acquired properties worth millions through AJL.

The Congress maintains that it bailed out the publisher due to its historical legacy and had lent more than 900m rupees to AJL over the years.

In 2010, AJL became debt-free by swapping its debt for equity and assigning the shares to a newly created company called Young Indian, which the party says is a “not-for-profit company” with no dividends paid to its shareholders and directors.

Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are among Young Indian’s directors and they each own 38% of the company. The remaining 24% is owned by Congress leaders, including Motilal Vora and Sam Pitroda.

Last week, the Enforcement Directorate said Young Indian had acquired AJL properties worth 20bn rupees for just 5m, significantly undervaluing their worth.

It also served several notices to seize assets worth 6.6bn rupees across several Indian cities – including Delhi and Mumbai – which are connected to Young Indian.

The case is scheduled to come up for hearing on 25 April.

In recent years, the opposition has repeatedly accused the Narendra Modi government of weaponising the Enforcement Directorate against its political opponents.

According to data compiled by Reuters in 2024, the agency has summoned, questioned or raided around 150 opposition politicians since Modi came to power in 2014.

Last year, the ED arrested former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with an alleged liquor scam just a month before key general elections. He spent five months in jail before being freed on bail.

Getty Images Prime Minister Nehru said, in a fighting radio address directed to India's officers and men on December 10th, said the nation was fully behind them. — *Jawaharlal Nehru started the National Herald in 1938 [BBC]*

What is the National Herald?

The National Herald newspaper was founded in 1938 by Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister and Rahul Gandhi’s great-grandfather.

It ceased publication in 2008 after running into financial troubles but was later acquired by the Congress in 2010 and relaunched as a digital news outlet in 2017.

It was published by Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which was established in 1937 with 5,000 freedom fighters as shareholders. AJL also published Qaumi Awaz in Urdu and Navjeevan in Hindi.

The National Herald became known for its association with India’s freedom struggle and its nationalist stance.

Nehru often wrote strong-worded columns, which led to the British government banning the paper in 1942. It reopened three years later.

After India gained independence in 1947, Nehru resigned as chairman of the newspaper to become prime minister.

But the Congress continued to play a huge role in shaping the newspaper’s ideology.

In a message to the National Herald on its silver jubilee in 1963, Nehru spoke about the paper “generally favouring Congress policy” while maintaining “an independent outlook”.

Over the years, the National Herald grew to be a leading English daily, supported by the Congress party, until it shut down in 2008 after years of financial troubles.

[BBC]

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Afghanistan eye morale-boosting win to end campaign

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/19

Priyan

Following up on their highs of 2024 was always going to be difficult for Afghanistan. Paired with South Africa and New Zealand, Afghanistan always knew that they had to win at least one of those games to stay in the reckoning for a place in the Super Eights. Unfortunately, they were up against it right from the start as those two were also their initial opponents in the tournament.

Losing both those matches hurt their chances big time and they had to rely on an upset from Canada to keep them in contention. While Canada briefly threatened, that pressure with their lack of experience was never going to sustain against New Zealand who sealed their spot, leaving this final clash of Group D inconsequential.

The inability of the Afghanistan spin attack to pose more questions to the opposition batting lineup was something that stood out in the two defeats, especially given that Afghanistan have only played day games so far. Mujeeb Ur Rahman had a good outing against New Zealand and Rashid Khan was excellent against South Africa. But Noor Ahmad has had a poor tournament and Mohammad Nabi has been relegated to a very restricted role with both bat and ball – throwing doubts over his future in the national side given his age. At certain moments, Afghanistan looked like they might fall short against UAE as well before Azmatullah Omarzai bailed them out.

On Thursday (February 19), they will be up against a team that finally fared well with the bat against New Zealand, although that was largely thanks to a one-man show from Yuvraj Samra. Canada will have their task cut out yet again against a side that will be desperate to finish their campaign on a high note.

Canada’s bowling attack will once again be under the scanner after they put up an erratic display against New Zealand, squandering the early advantage. While there are question marks over Nabi’s future, Canada’s Navneet Dhaliwal has already confirmed that this would be his final fixture in international cricket.

The pitches have been pretty good to bat on at Chepauk this time. While teams generally prefer to chase in evening games, it’s worth remembering that dew didn’t have an effect in the USA-Netherlands fixture last week.

Ziaur Rahman Sharifi was handed an opportunity in the last game but failed to impress. Afghanistan could contemplate giving Abdullah Ahmadzai a game in this dead rubber.

With nothing to play for, Canada might opt to give some fringe players a go, especially in the bowling department.

Afghanistan Probable XI – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai

Canada Probable XI –Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Navneet Dhaliwal, Harsh Thaker, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (wk), Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Dilon Heyliger, Jaskaran Singh, Ansh Patel

[Cricbuzz]

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Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe seek momentum sustenance ahead of stiffer challenges

Published

4 hours ago

2026/02/18

Priyan

On the face of it, there is nothing riding on this contest in terms of qualification scenarios with the Super Eights draw locked in. Yet, with both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe staying unbeaten so far, this is perhaps the perfect opportunity for their paths to collide before the Super Eights swing by.

One of these two teams did not make it that far in the 2024 edition while the other did not qualify for the event altogether. In lieu of that, this campaign is an improvement already for both units. Yet, as Sikandar Raza said after the washout against Ireland, Zimbabwe aren’t going to be satisfied with a Super Eights finish alone.

Having famously booked an early ticket home for the mighty Australians, Zimbabwe will look to do more of the same in the next round once they reach India. On the back of two impressive wins with their players stepping up across departments, a third against the co-hosts prior to the Super Eights would do their confidence a world of good, while also seeing them finish on top of Group B.

It will be far easier said than done against a rampant Sri Lankan outfit, who arrive fresh off one of their more comprehensive victories in the last decade in T20 World Cups. Pathum Nissanka produced arguably the knock of the tournament, Kusal Mendis has been in irrepressible form, while Pavan Rathnayake has proved to be a surprise package at 4.

That said, Sri Lanka have had to grapple with injuries, the latest casualty being Matheesha Pathirana, who has been ruled out of the tournament. Having already lost Wanindu Hasaranga earlier, the co-hosts will hope that there are no further mishaps as they look to roll along with a solid head of steam and aim to contest the big games.

For a ground historically known to favor spin, the wicket-split between spinners and pacers so far in the tournament has been fairly even (31-26). The venue has offered the least drift for spinners although it ranks fourth among the World Cup venues as far as the average turn goes. Given this is a 3 PM start that eliminates the factor of dew, spin may just have a more prominent role to play. There is a thunderstorm on the radar too, which could impact the game.

Dilshan Madushanka has been drafted in as Pathirana’s replacement, although Pramod Madushan, the other spare fast-bowler in the squad, could start in the XI. As much as there could be a temptation to give Charith Asalanka or Janith Liyanage a game, expect Sri Lanka to resist that and stick with their winning combination ahead of the Super Eights.

From their last completed game against Australia, Zimbabwe ought to bring Richard Ngarava back into the XI, with the left-arm seamer rested for that outing as a precautionary measure. Leggie Graeme Cremer could miss out, although the possibility of resting Blessing Muzarabani cannot be ruled out either, should Zimbabwe want an additional spinner.

Sri Lanka Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan

Zimbabwe Probable XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

[Cricbuzz]

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West Indies aim to keep up rhythm as Italy look to end on a high

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/18

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West Indies are unbeaten in three group games so far [Cricbuzz]

West Indies will look to maintain their unbeaten streak and conclude the group stages with a perfect record as they face tournament debutants Italy on Thursday (February 19) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Their fates are already sealed. West Indies, as table toppers in Group C, are next headed to Mumbai for the Super 8s stages while Italy will be packing up to return home. However, there’s still pride to play for, for the first-timers. Italy’s 10-wicket thrashing of Nepal was enough evidence that they aren’t just making up the numbers here. But heavy defeats on either side of that historic win meant their maiden World Cup journey would end at the group stages itself.

West Indies, on the other hand, have been near flawless through the first round. They opened their campaign with a 35-run victory over Scotland, and then defended 196 against favourites England at the Wankhede before thrashing Nepal by nine wickets to seal the top spot. With a healthy net run-rate of 1.820, only a heavy upset can dislodge them from the top spot that they currently occupy.

Different players have consistently put their hand up for the team, with three different Player of the Match awards in as many games. The wins have been built on complete all-round performances with nearly all the batting order firing consistently. The bowling department, too, has worked in unison to skittle oppositions.

While Italy may have shown they are not mere pushovers, West Indies will come into the contest as heavy favourites. The sheer explosive capabilities of the two-time champions will likely overwhelm the Italian bowling attack on the run-laden Kolkata deck. An upset will unlikely change anything but Italy’s standing in cricketing history.

he venue has been a high-scoring one this World Cup with two 200+ scores already in four games. It could be a cloudy start to the morning but no threat of rain.

A ‘slight little niggle’ kept Romario Shepherd out of the XI for the last game. He should slot back in if fit, with Matthew Forde making way.

Regular skipper Wayne Madsen has missed the last two games due to an injury in the opening fixture and remains a doubtful starter for their last group game as well.

West Indies Probable XI: Brandon King, Shai Hope(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romariio Shepherd/Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph

Italy Probable XI: Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, Marcus Campopiano/Wayne Madsen, Grant Stewart, Gian Meade (wk), Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan

[Cricbuzz]