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National Herald
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National Herald
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The National Herald is an Indian English-language newspaper published by The Associated Journals Ltd, and owned by Young India Limited, a company by Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, and Shiva Publications, a partnership firm by Vishnu Goyal and Rekha Goyal.[3]

Key Information

It was founded by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938 as a tool to win independence.[4] It was banned by British government in 1942 during the Quit India Movement. It was one of the major English language newspapers in India after the end of the British Raj, and occasionally published op-eds authored by Nehru.[5] The newspaper ceased operations in 2008 for financial reasons. In 2016, it was relaunched as a digital publication.[6] The newspaper has been linked to and controlled by members of the Indian National Congress political party.[7][8]

The newspaper is an accused in the National Herald corruption case along with Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi.[9][10]

History

[edit]

National Herald was established in Lucknow on 9 September 1938 by Jawaharlal Nehru.[11][12] The paper carried on its masthead the words 'Freedom is in Peril, Defend it with All Your Might' taken from a cartoon by Gabriel from Brentford, Middlesex that Indira Gandhi had forwarded to Nehru.[13] Jawaharlal Nehru was an early editor of the newspaper and until his appointment as prime minister was the chairman of the Herald's board of directors.[14][15] In 1938, Kotamraju Rama Rao was appointed the paper's first editor. Following the Quit India Resolution of August 1942, the British Raj clamped down on the Indian press and the paper was shut between 1942 and 1945.[16] The Herald reopened in 1945 and from 1946 to 1950, Feroze Gandhi served as the paper's Managing Director, helping restore its financial health.[17] From 1946 to 1978, Manikonda Chalapathi Rau served as its editor.[16]

Nehru had served as the paper's international correspondent for a while and after becoming prime minister was able to use the paper to espouse unpopular views and to sidestep the press corps in conveying his thoughts on various issues to the reading public as in 1954 when he wrote a scathing piece on the Bikini Atoll nuclear tests titled 'The Death-dealer'.[5] The paper had editions from Lucknow and New Delhi, the latter begun in 1968.[16][18] In Delhi, the paper was based out of Herald House on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, known as Delhi's Fleet Street while in Lucknow it was based out of the Nehru Bhawan and Nehru Manzil buildings.[19] The National Herald also had Hindi and Urdu editions named Navjeevan and Qaumi Awaz.[20]

In January 2008 discussions about closure began.[21] On 1 April 2008 the paper's editorial (of its sole remaining edition, New Delhi) announced that it was temporarily suspending operations. The paper had failed to modernise its print technology and had not computerised at the time of suspending operations and had been making losses for several years owing to lack of advertising revenues and overstaffing. At the time of its closure T V Venkitachalam was its editor-in-chief.[12]

Indore Edition

[edit]

Mumbai based businessman Vishnu Goyal said his involvement with the National Herald dates back to 1998, when Shiva Publications (a partnership firm) bought rights to publishing the National Herald in Indore & Mumbai. Goyal launched the Indore edition in 2009, months after The Associated Journals decided to shut the Herald’s publication subsequent to settling dues of the staff. Designated as Chief Editor of National Herald & Global Herald Newspapers, Goyal is also the Chairman & Managing Director of Alpha Vision Overseas India Ltd, a company listed on the BSE.[3]

Plans for revival

[edit]

National Herald, before its closure was being run by Associated Journals.[1] There were reports that the paper was being revived under journalist Suman Dubey, technocrat Sam Pitroda and the newly incorporated Young India Company headquartered at Herald House.[22][23] However, Rahul Gandhi, a member on the board of Young Indian Company denied of such movement and mentioned that it is a not-for-profit company and cannot have any profitable business.[24][25]

In March 2016, The Associated Journals Ltd. decided to revive the media outlet in digital form. On 1 October 2016, it announced the appointment of Neelabh Mishra as the Editor in Chief of the National Herald Group.[26] On 14 November 2016, an English website was launched.[27] Simultaneously, it also announced that the print publications under suspension, namely National Herald in English, Navjivan in Hindi and Quami Awaz in Urdu, would be revived in due course. In its press release dated 14 November 2016[28] the National Herald group pledged its commitment to furthering the editorial vision and principles of its founder Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and India’s Freedom Movement – that of building a modern, democratic, just, equitable, liberal and socially harmonious nation.

Official re-launch

[edit]

On 12 June 2017, Rahul Gandhi re-launched National Herald at an event in Bengaluru. Vice President of India Hamid Ansari was the chief guest and said, "The duty of the state is clear - free media is necessary for free society. When faced with unjust restrictions, censorship in the media can aid covering of abuses."[4]

Commemorative edition

[edit]

The commemorative edition of National Herald was launched on 1 July 2017, by the then President of India Pranab Mukherjee.[29]

Controversies

[edit]
See also: National Herald case

The National Herald corruption case is an ongoing case in a Delhi court filed by Indian economist and politician Subramanian Swamy against politicians Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, their companies and associated persons.[9] As per the complaint filed in the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate, Associated Journals Limited (AJL) took an interest-free loan of ₹90.25 crore (US$11 million) from Indian National Congress. It is alleged that the loan was not repaid.[30] A closely held company, Young Indian, was incorporated in November 2010 with a capital of ₹50 lakh (US$59,000) and it acquired almost all the shareholding of AJL and all its properties (alleged to be worth ₹5,000 crore (US$590 million)).[31][32]

A defamation suit of Rs 5000 crore was filed by Reliance Group, against National Herald claiming an article published by it regarding the Rafale fighter jet deal was "libellous and derogatory".[33][34]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

National Herald

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from Grokipedia
The National Herald is an English-language newspaper founded on 9 September 1938 by Jawaharlal Nehru in Lucknow, India, as a publication supporting the Indian National Congress and the independence movement against British rule. Published by Associated Journals Limited (AJL), it initially served as a key platform for nationalist discourse, with Nehru contributing editorials and the paper advocating for democratic socialism and secularism. The newspaper expanded to editions in Delhi and other cities but faced financial challenges, leading to the cessation of its print operations in 2008; it was relaunched in digital format in 2016 under Congress patronage. A defining feature in recent decades has been its entanglement in the National Herald case, an ongoing legal dispute since 2012 alleging criminal breach of trust, cheating, and money laundering in the transfer of AJL's assets—valued at over ₹2,000 crore in prime properties—to Young Indian Private Limited, a not-for-profit entity in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi hold 76% shares collectively. The controversy stems from a ₹90.25 crore interest-free loan from the Congress party to AJL, which was converted into equity shares, enabling Young Indian to acquire control of AJL for a nominal ₹50 lakh despite the entity's substantial real estate holdings, prompting Enforcement Directorate investigations into purported laundering of ₹988 crore through sham transactions by Congress functionaries. As of 2025, the case remains active, with the ED filing a chargesheet against key figures including the Gandhis, and courts examining evidence of conspiracy to convert public-oriented assets into private gain, though defenders maintain the arrangement aimed solely at reviving the loss-making publication.

Founding and Early Operations

Establishment by Jawaharlal Nehru

The National Herald was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru on September 9, 1938, with its inaugural issue published from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, as an English-language daily newspaper. Nehru, who had begun contemplating the launch of his own publication as early as 1936 amid the intensifying Indian independence movement, established it through the Associated Journals Limited (AJL), a company specifically incorporated to own and operate the paper. This initiative followed the formation of the first popular ministry in Uttar Pradesh in 1937, providing a provincial government sympathetic to Congress aims that facilitated the newspaper's operations. The establishment aimed to propagate nationalist sentiments and counter British colonial narratives, positioning the National Herald as a key organ of the . Nehru, serving as president at various points including around this period, viewed the paper as a tool to mobilize against imperial rule, with initial funding and support drawn from Congress affiliates and sympathizers. While primarily Nehru's vision, the founding involved collaboration with other freedom fighters, reflecting the party's collective effort to build infrastructure amid press restrictions under British censorship laws. From its inception, the newspaper adopted an editorial stance aligned with socialist-leaning ideology, emphasizing anti-colonial rhetoric and socioeconomic reforms, though it operated under financial constraints typical of partisan publications in pre-independence . The British government later banned it in 1942 during the , underscoring its role in galvanizing resistance, but it resumed publication post-ban as independence neared.

Initial Publications and Editorial Stance

The National Herald first appeared on 9 September 1938 as an English-language daily newspaper published from , , under the ownership of Associated Journals Limited, a company established to support journalistic endeavors aligned with the Indian freedom struggle. Its inaugural issues focused on reporting events of the independence movement, including critiques of British policies and advocacy for Congress-led initiatives, reflecting Nehru's intent to create a publication that would amplify nationalist voices amid the 1937 provincial elections' aftermath. The newspaper's editorial stance was explicitly pro-independence and supportive of the , positioning it as a tool for ideological rather than neutral ; Nehru envisioned it as a means to counter colonial and promote socialist-leaning reforms within a secular framework. Initial content emphasized anti-imperialist analysis, coverage of activities, and calls for participation in the freedom campaign, with M. Chalapathi Rau serving as the founding editor tasked with upholding this partisan orientation. This alignment led to swift repercussions from British authorities, who banned the National Herald in 1942 during the , suspending operations until 1945 due to its role in disseminating seditious material that challenged colonial authority and bolstered resistance. The ban underscored the publication's causal influence in shaping public sentiment against partition-era divisions, prioritizing unified nationalist rhetoric over communal narratives prevalent in some rival presses.

Role in Indian Independence Movement

Coverage of Key Events

The National Herald played a pivotal role in disseminating the Indian National Congress's perspective on the independence struggle, particularly through its reporting on campaigns and the push for purna swaraj (complete independence), as guided by Jawaharlal Nehru's editorial directives from prison between 1939 and 1942. The newspaper emphasized anti-colonial mobilization without exploiting Mahatma Gandhi's name for partisan gain, aligning its content with broader Congress objectives to rally public support against British rule. Its most significant coverage centered on the , launched by Gandhi on August 8, 1942, at the session in Bombay (now ). The Herald advocated for immediate British withdrawal, framing the campaign as a mass uprising against imperial repression, which prompted the British authorities to raid its offices and impose a ban amid the crackdown on over 80 nationalist publications. In response to Gandhi's directive for voluntary suspension to preserve integrity and avoid pre-censorship, the halted operations, with its final pre-ban titled "Bande Mataram" encapsulating its defiant . The ban, enforced from September 1942 until late 1945, underscored the perceived threat of its reporting to colonial stability, as editor K. Rama Rao—whom Gandhi dubbed a "fighting editor"—had steered coverage toward uncompromising demands for self-rule. Following its revival in November 1945 after Nehru's release from prison, the National Herald resumed publication with an inaugural editorial titled "," shifting focus to post-war developments such as the failures and interim government formations, while critiquing British delays in power transfer. Under subsequent editor M. Chalapathi Rau from 1946, it documented escalating communal tensions and Congress-Muslim League negotiations leading to partition, maintaining an editorial line supportive of secular amid the 1946-1947 turmoil. This coverage reinforced its status as a Congress-aligned organ, influencing public discourse until independence on , 1947.

Association with Indian National Congress

The National Herald was established on September 9, 1938, in by , then president of the , as a daily English-language explicitly aligned with the party's objectives in the independence struggle. Published by the Associated Journals Limited (AJL), a company incorporated on November 20, 1937, by Congress leaders including Nehru, Rafi Ahmad Kidwai, and , the paper was funded through contributions from Congress sympathizers and workers, positioning it as a vehicle for disseminating the party's ideology against British colonial rule. Its first editor, K. Rama Rao, shaped its editorial stance to amplify Congress campaigns, including critiques of imperial policies and advocacy for self-rule. During the independence movement, the National Herald functioned as an unofficial mouthpiece for the Congress, publishing articles, speeches, and analyses that supported key initiatives like the Civil Disobedience campaigns and mobilization efforts against British authorities. Nehru himself contributed writings that outlined Congress visions for a free India, while the paper's coverage prioritized party events and leaders, often sidelining non-Congress nationalist voices to maintain ideological cohesion. This partisan orientation drew British scrutiny; in August 1942, amid the Quit India Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi, the colonial government banned the newspaper along with dozens of others, suspending operations until its revival in 1945 due to its perceived role in inciting anti-government sentiment. The ban, which lasted over two years, underscored the paper's effectiveness as a Congress-aligned propaganda tool, with editor Rama Rao imprisoned for his contributions. Post-revival, the National Herald resumed under influence, continuing to serve as a platform for party narratives in the lead-up to 1947 independence, though its circulation remained regionally concentrated in . AJL's structure as a non-profit entity tied to ensured editorial control stayed within party circles, fostering a symbiotic relationship where the bolstered recruitment and while relying on party networks for sustenance. This association, rooted in shared anti-colonial goals, established the National Herald as a partisan organ rather than an independent press outlet, a dynamic evident in its selective reporting that privileged empirical accounts of -led protests over broader journalistic neutrality.

Post-Independence Development

Expansion and Influence

Following India's independence in 1947, the National Herald solidified its position as one of the leading English-language dailies, particularly in , where it achieved the highest circulation among English newspapers during the initial post-independence decades. The paper maintained close ties to the , serving as an unofficial mouthpiece that promoted the party's policies and provided a platform for leaders like to articulate their views on national development and governance. To broaden its national footprint amid growing competition from other dailies, the newspaper launched a edition in 1968, targeting the capital's political and bureaucratic elite. This expansion complemented the flagship operations and included sister publications in (Navjivan) and (Qaumi Awaz), extending its influence to non-English readerships aligned with strongholds. However, the edition faced challenges in penetrating established markets, with circulation lagging behind the print run, which remained the paper's core strength. By the late 1970s, pre-Emergency circulation for the edition hovered around 15,000 copies daily, rising to over 20,000 by 1982 amid claims of further growth in exceeding 30,000. Politically, the National Herald exerted influence by shaping discourse in favor of governments, often defending policies under Nehru and later while critiquing opposition narratives, though its partisan alignment limited broader appeal as independent media proliferated. This period marked the peak of its reach before financial strains and shifting reader preferences eroded its dominance.

Editorial Evolution and Political Alignment

Following India's independence in 1947, the National Herald transitioned from a platform amplifying the independence movement to functioning primarily as a mouthpiece for the party, endorsing its policies and leadership under Jawaharlal . The newspaper's editorial content consistently favored Congress initiatives, such as and , while critiquing opposition parties and colonial legacies. In a message marking the paper's on September 9, 1963, Nehru explicitly noted its tendency to "generally favour policy," underscoring the symbiotic relationship where was subordinated to party alignment. This alignment deepened during Indira Gandhi's premiership from 1966 onward, with the National Herald serving as a key propagator of her socialist reforms, drives, and emergency-era measures, often framing them as essential for national progress despite internal party dissent. Under long-serving editor M. Chalapathi Rau, who held the position from 1954 until his death in 1983, the publication occasionally diverged by criticizing Congress state chief ministers in Uttar Pradesh for corruption or inefficiency, reflecting localized tensions rather than a national policy shift. However, such instances were exceptions; Rau's tenure maintained overall fidelity to Congress's central leadership, prioritizing party unity over adversarial journalism. Post-Rau, editorial leadership under figures like K. Rama Rao and later appointees continued this partisan orientation into the 1980s and 1990s, with claims of "objective reporting... within certain parameters" acknowledging inherent constraints tied to the paper's ownership by the Congress-affiliated Associated Journals Limited. No substantive policy changes occurred to foster independence; instead, the evolution reinforced a left-leaning, pro-Congress , evident in coverage supporting leaders like while marginalizing non-Congress viewpoints, contributing to declining circulation amid competition from more pluralistic outlets. This alignment persisted until the print edition's cessation in , reflecting the paper's role as an extension of party rather than impartial chronicle.

Financial Decline and Print Closure

Economic Challenges

The National Herald, published by Associated Journals Limited (AJL), encountered mounting economic pressures from the late onward, characterized by a protracted decline in circulation that eroded its readership base and revenue potential. This drop was exacerbated by the rise of competing media formats, including television and vernacular press, which diverted advertising budgets away from English-language dailies like the Herald. Operational inefficiencies further intensified the strain, with AJL maintaining excess staff—totaling around 265 employees, including approximately 40 journalists—relative to its shrinking output and income, leading to sustained annual losses over more than a decade. , a critical pillar for print media sustainability, failed to keep pace with costs, as the newspaper's political alignment and limited commercial appeal reduced its attractiveness to diverse advertisers. By , these factors culminated in severe liquidity shortages, including unpaid staff salaries and accumulated liabilities totaling roughly Rs 90 , primarily in the form of interest-free loans from the to prop up operations. In 2008-09 alone, AJL recorded a net loss of Rs 33.78 , much of it tied to expenses from a voluntary scheme implemented amid downsizing efforts. Despite these interventions, the inability to reverse shortfalls forced to notify employees in October 2008 of impending closure, prioritizing negotiated severance over continued publication.

Cessation of Operations in 2008

The National Herald, published by Associated Journals Limited (AJL), ceased print operations on April 1, 2008, after decades of declining circulation and mounting financial losses. The closure also affected its Urdu-language sister publication, Quami Awaz, as AJL cited unsustainable debts exceeding ₹90 crore, primarily from interest-free loans advanced by the to sustain the newspapers. Key factors contributing to the shutdown included chronic overstaffing—particularly among press workers and non-journalistic personnel—and a sharp drop in , which failed to offset operational costs amid from more commercially viable media outlets. By 2008, AJL's finances had deteriorated to the point where it could no longer support printing presses in , , and other locations, leaving the company with valuable real estate assets but no active publishing activities. The decision marked the end of a 70-year print legacy tied to the Congress party, though AJL retained ownership of properties valued in the billions of rupees, which later became central to legal disputes over .

Regional and Specialized Editions

Primary Locations: Lucknow and Delhi

The National Herald was established in Lucknow on September 9, 1938, by as the inaugural publication of the Associated Journals Limited, serving as a key mouthpiece for the during the independence movement. The newspaper's operations were based in the historic Kaiserbagh area, where it produced not only the English-language National Herald but also sister publications including the Navjivan and Qaumi Awaz, reflecting a multilingual approach to reach diverse readership in . Circulation in Lucknow remained relatively strong, with sales figures around 5,000 copies daily in the early 1980s, underscoring its regional influence amid declining national trends. In , the National Herald launched its edition on January 1, 1968, expanding its footprint to the national capital to capitalize on post-independence political centrality. However, the Delhi edition struggled with low readership, selling approximately 1,000 copies per day by the early 1980s—far below Lucknow's volumes—due to competition from established dailies and limited appeal beyond loyalists. Operations ceased printing in both locations by amid financial losses, though properties tied to the newspaper in these cities later became focal points in legal disputes over asset valuation and usage.

Indore Edition and Other Variants

The edition of the National Herald was launched in 2009 by Indore-based businessman Vishnu Goyal through his firm Shiva Publications, in partnership with his wife Rekha Goyal. This initiative followed the closure of the main National Herald publication by Associated Journals Limited (AJL) in April 2008, and stemmed from Goyal's acquisition of publication rights for the and editions from AJL in 1998 for Rs 27 lakh via a . Goyal, who serves as chief editor and chairs Alfavision Overseas Ltd., positioned the edition as a continuation of the newspaper's legacy, while also publishing the related daily Global Herald. Legal disputes quickly arose between Goyal and AJL over publication rights and associated land assets, including property in and Mumbai's area. Goyal filed a case against AJL in the , alleging improper handling of the handover, and in December 2015 expressed intent to intervene in Subramanian Swamy's petition against Sonia and Rahul in the National Herald corruption case, claiming locus standi due to his stake. AJL, in turn, acknowledged the ongoing conflict in corporate filings, disputing Goyal's claims to the assets and publications. The edition's operational scale remained limited, with no verified circulation figures available, and its status post-2015 is unclear amid the broader revival of the National Herald as a digital outlet under separate ownership. Other variants of the National Herald included sister publications in regional languages, such as Navjivan in and Qaumi Awaz in , both managed by AJL. Qaumi Awaz operated multiple regional editions, including from , (then Bombay), and , in addition to its base, expanding the group's reach during the . These language-specific editions served as ideological extensions of the English flagship, focusing on Congress-aligned commentary, though they faced similar financial pressures leading to suspensions during and eventual declines. Unlike the disputed effort, these variants were directly under AJL control until the 2008 print cessation.

Ownership and Corporate Structure

Associated Journals Limited

The Associated Journals Limited (AJL) was incorporated on November 20, 1937, as a limited by shares under the Indian Companies Act, with its primary objective being the of the and related periodicals. Established in the pre-independence era, AJL functioned as a vehicle for disseminating nationalist views aligned with the , with playing a foundational role in its inception. The 's registered office was located at Herald House in , and it operated as a non-government entity focused on journalistic endeavors rather than . AJL's structure historically included a diverse base, with records listing over 1,000 shareholders as of the mid-2010s, among them prominent figures from the Nehru-Gandhi family such as , , and Vijayalakshmi Pandit. By the early , amid financial difficulties that led to the cessation of National Herald's print operations in 2008, AJL had accumulated significant debts, including an interest-free loan of ₹90.25 from the party between 2008 and 2010. This loan was subsequently converted into equity shares of Young Indian Private Limited, a Congress-affiliated entity formed in 2010, which acquired approximately 99% control of AJL's shares for a nominal of ₹50 , thereby transferring effective and control of AJL's substantial assets—valued in excess of ₹2,000 —to Young Indian. As the corporate entity behind National Herald, AJL managed printing, distribution, and editorial operations across editions in , , and other locations until the print shutdown, after which its role shifted toward and facilitating digital revival efforts. Current directors of AJL include figures such as , , and , reflecting ongoing ties to political and advisory networks. The company's financial turnover in the early stood at approximately ₹2.5 , indicative of its modest operational scale prior to prolonged economic challenges.

Formation and Role of Young Indian Private Limited

Young Indian Private Limited was incorporated on November 23, 2010, as a not-for-profit company under Section 25 of the (now Section 8), with an authorized and paid-up capital of ₹5 lakhs. The company was registered in and classified for business services, operating without the intent to distribute profits to members. Initial directors included Suman Dubey and Satyan Gangaram Pitroda, both described as associates of the Gandhi family. Shareholding in Young Indian is concentrated among a small group, with and each holding 38% of the equity (totaling 76%), while the remaining 24% is divided among other individuals including (12%) and (12% initially, later adjusted). This structure positions the company as closely held, with the Gandhi family exerting majority control despite its non-profit designation prohibiting dividend payouts. The primary role of Young Indian was to acquire control of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald, through a debt-to-equity conversion in 2011. AJL, facing financial distress, converted an outstanding loan of approximately ₹90.21 from the into equity shares valued at a nominal ₹1,000 per share, allotting 99.99% of its shares to Young Indian. This transaction granted Young Indian ownership of AJL's substantial real estate assets, estimated at over ₹2,000 , including properties in , , , and other locations, while Young Indian contributed no direct cash infusion beyond its initial capital. The stated objective of the acquisition was to facilitate the revival of the National Herald and other AJL publications by leveraging these assets, though Young Indian's memorandum emphasized broader social and ideological promotion activities.

Digital Revival Efforts

Pre-Revival Planning

In November 2010, Young Indian Private Limited was incorporated as a not-for-profit with an initial paid-up capital of ₹500,000, primarily to facilitate the revival of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald. The party, which had extended an interest-free loan of approximately ₹90.25 to AJL starting around 2008 to address its mounting debts from ceased print operations, transferred this loan liability to Young Indian. In exchange, Young Indian acquired nearly 100% of AJL's equity shares at a nominal value of ₹1 per share, totaling about 99.4 shares, thereby extinguishing AJL's debt to the and positioning Young Indian as AJL's controlling shareholder. This restructuring was presented by leaders, including (who held 38% stake in Young Indian alongside Rahul Gandhi's 38%), as a strategic move to rehabilitate AJL financially without personal profit, allowing it to resume publishing activities. Sonia Gandhi, as Congress president at the time, signed the loan agreements on behalf of the party, with the explicit intent to support AJL's recovery from years of losses exceeding ₹100 crore annually prior to 2008. Young Indian's articles of association emphasized journalistic and publishing objectives aligned with democratic values, mirroring AJL's founding ethos under Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938. By 2014, preparatory steps included registering the web portal domain for the digital edition, signaling a shift toward online revival amid AJL's dormant print assets, including properties in Delhi, Lucknow, and Mumbai valued collectively in the billions but not transferred to Young Indian. These actions addressed AJL's operational cessation in 2008, driven by advertising revenue shortfalls and wage arrears to over 100 employees, without immediate plans for physical reprinting. Critics, including the in subsequent probes, have contested the transaction's legitimacy, alleging it circumvented corporate laws by allotting shares worth thousands of crores at par value to a thinly capitalized entity controlled by the Gandhi family, potentially undervaluing AJL's immovable assets. However, proponents maintained the model avoided of historic properties and enabled non-commercial revival, with no dividends or rents drawn from AJL by Young Indian directors up to 2016. This phase laid the groundwork for AJL's board resolutions in early 2016 to convert to a non-profit structure and prioritize digital operations, culminating in the platform's launch later that year.

Official Digital Launch in 2016

The digital edition of the National Herald was officially launched on November 14, 2016, coinciding with the 127th birth anniversary of , the newspaper's founder. This marked the resumption of operations eight years after the print edition ceased publication in 2008 due to financial difficulties. Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the entity owning the newspaper, initiated the website as an English-language online platform, with Neelabh Mishra appointed as earlier that year. The launch was described as a beta version, focusing on digital content delivery to revive the publication's presence amid its historical ties to the . Initial content emphasized the newspaper's legacy, including tributes to Nehru, though the platform faced criticism for limited interactivity and reliance on syndicated material in its early phase. The revival occurred under the oversight of Young Indian Private Limited, which had acquired control of AJL's properties in 2011, enabling the shift to a cost-effective digital model without immediate plans for print resumption at launch. This digital format aimed to sustain the National Herald's role as a Congress-affiliated outlet, though operational scale remained modest, with traffic metrics undisclosed in initial reports.

Commemorative and Regional Initiatives

In July 2017, the National Herald released a commemorative publication themed " at a Crossroads: 70 Years of ," marking the 70th anniversary of 's independence. The edition was launched by then-President on July 1, 2017, in the presence of leaders including Vice President . This initiative highlighted the newspaper's historical role in the independence movement, founded by in 1938, and aimed to reflect on post-independence challenges through articles and analysis. On November 14, 2021, coinciding with Jawaharlal Nehru's 132nd birth anniversary, the National Herald launched a edition to extend its digital reach beyond traditional strongholds in and . The event drew local political figures and emphasized coverage of western India-specific issues, aligning with efforts to broaden the outlet's audience in urban centers outside . This regional expansion built on the digital relaunch, focusing on localized reporting to sustain amid print cessation since 2008.

Major Controversies

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement

In 2010, Young Indian Private Limited (YI) was incorporated with an initial paid-up capital of Rs 5 lakh, in which and held 38% stakes each, totaling 76% ownership. YI subsequently acquired a 99% stake in Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the entity publishing the National Herald, by converting an interest-free loan of Rs 90.21 extended by the (AICC) to AJL into equity shares valued at a nominal Rs 1 per share. This transaction, critics allege, enabled YI to gain control over AJL's immovable properties—estimated by the (ED) at over Rs 2,000 —effectively for Rs 50 lakh in share capital, constituting misappropriation and undervaluation of assets. The allegations originated from a 2012 private complaint filed by in a , accusing and of fraud, , and criminal breach of trust in orchestrating a "backdoor " of AJL's assets through YI, bypassing market valuation and depriving AJL's shareholders of fair compensation. The (CBI) registered a case in 2014 under sections related to , , and , probing how the loan conversion allowed YI to assume of prime real estate in , , and other locations without corresponding payment. The ED's parallel money laundering probe, initiated in 2015, charged in a 2025 supplementary that the scheme involved laundering Rs 142 crore in "proceeds of crime" through sham donations to YI and AJL, with named as Accused No. 1 and as Accused No. 2. ED officials argued the transaction was a deliberate conspiracy to convert public political funds into , evading taxes and regulatory scrutiny, as AJL's debts were waived without creditor recovery while properties were ring-fenced for YI's benefit. In July 2025, the ED informed the court that YI made wrongful gains by acquiring assets disproportionate to its investment, prompting provisional attachment of properties worth Rs 751 crore linked to AJL. Defenders of the transaction, including representatives, have countered that it was a legitimate to revive the loss-making National Herald by transferring debts to YI for digital operations, with no actual sale or transfer of properties from AJL to YI occurring. However, the ED has maintained that the opacity of the —lacking independent valuation or arm's-length bargaining—raises of financial irregularity, as YI's control over AJL's board post-acquisition facilitated asset retention without servicing. The court, as of October 2025, continues to hear arguments on cognizance of the ED's , with the agency asserting the Gandhis' dominant role in YI positioned them as ultimate beneficiaries of the alleged mismanagement.

National Herald Corruption Case

The National Herald corruption case refers to a criminal complaint filed on November 2, 2012, by leader in a metropolitan court, alleging cheating, criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy, and forgery against , , and other party associates under Sections 420, 406, 409, 120B, and 34 of the . Swamy claimed the accused orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently acquire assets of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper, valued at over ₹2,000 crore, by routing party funds through a private entity while evading repayment obligations. Between 2008 and 2010, the Congress party advanced an interest-free loan totaling ₹90.25 crore to AJL to revive its debt-laden operations, including the dormant National Herald title; AJL, unable to repay, transferred this debt to Young Indian Private Limited (YI), a company incorporated on November 23, 2010, in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi held 38% stakes each, conferring effective 76% control. YI paid ₹50 lakh to AJL in exchange for 99% of AJL's equity shares, which were issued at a nominal value despite AJL's immovable properties—including prime real estate in Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Patna—being appraised at thousands of crores; this transaction effectively extinguished the ₹90.25 crore loan without Congress recovering the funds, allowing YI to gain ownership of AJL's assets. Swamy alleged this constituted a "sham" arrangement to convert public political funds into private holdings, bypassing shareholder approvals and AJL's bylaws, with additional irregularities such as unauthorized allotments to other Congress-linked entities like Sam Pitroda's firm receiving ₹50 lakh in shares. On June 26, 2014, the court initially dismissed the complaint for lack of evidence but, following Swamy's appeal, the directed reconsideration; Magistrate Juhi Jalali took cognizance on December 11, 2015, summoning Sonia and as accused alongside YI directors and AJL officials. The accused challenged the order in the , which in 2018 partly quashed proceedings against some parties but upheld charges against the Gandhis; they appeared before the trial court on June 7 and 13, 2022, respectively, and were granted bail on ₹50,000 bonds each after denying the allegations. The leadership has maintained that the ₹90.25 constituted a legitimate "advance for subscription to shares" rather than a , intended solely to digitize and revive the National Herald without asset sales, and described the case as politically motivated by the BJP-led government; however, documents highlight discrepancies, including AJL's audited accounts initially classifying the funds as loans and the absence of formal subscription agreements or repayments. As of 2025, remains pending before Metropolitan Magistrate Maria Diksha Kumari, with arguments on framing charges ongoing amid claims of undervaluation and circumvention of the party's not-for-profit status under the Representation of the People Act.

Enforcement Directorate Investigation

The (ED) initiated a investigation into the National Herald case in August 2014, following a complaint by BJP leader alleging misuse of funds by Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and Young Indian Private Limited (YI). The probe was briefly closed due to a technical issue but reopened in September 2015 after the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Key allegations in the ED probe center on an interest-free loan of ₹90.21 crore extended by the to AJL between 2008 and 2010, which was allegedly used to clear AJL's debts to YI—a firm in which and each hold a 38% stake—allowing YI to acquire control of AJL's shares and properties valued at over ₹2,000 for a nominal ₹50 investment. The ED contends this constituted a criminal conspiracy to route political party funds into private hands, generating proceeds of crime through undervalued asset transfers, including prime properties in , , and . In November 2022, the ED provisionally attached 14 properties of AJL worth ₹751.90 , including the in , as part of efforts to prevent dissipation of allegedly laundered assets. The agency issued summons to , , and other associates, including , for questioning on the fund flows and share acquisitions. No large-scale raids were conducted specifically under the ED probe, though earlier searches in 2018 provided predicate documents for the money laundering case. On April 16, 2025, the ED filed a (prosecution complaint) before a court, naming as Accused No. 1, as Accused No. 2, Pitroda, and six others, detailing the laundering mechanism and seeking confirmation of attachments. In early April 2025, the ED began possession proceedings for assets worth over ₹700 linked to AJL, serving notices for properties including those in 's , Mumbai's KP Narayana Pillai Marg, and . As of October 2025, the court has reserved orders on cognizance of the , with hearings deferred to October 30 for ED clarifications on documents and the ECIR; the accused have challenged the proceedings, terming them politically motivated, while the ED maintains the attachments are lawful under PMLA to secure recovery of laundered funds. The remains ongoing, with potential for further asset seizures if the court upholds the ED's case. In November 2012, BJP leader filed a private complaint in a metropolitan court against , , and other leaders, alleging cheating, criminal conspiracy, and misappropriation of assets in the acquisition of Associated Journals Limited (AJL) properties by Young Indian Private Limited (YIL). The complaint claimed that YIL, in which the Gandhis held a 38% stake each (with the remainder to associates), acquired 99.8% of AJL's shares for ₹50 , ostensibly to settle a ₹90.21 loan from the to AJL, while gaining control over AJL's immovable assets valued at over ₹5,000 . On December 11, 2014, the trial court issued summons to the accused under Sections 403, 406, and 420 of the for criminal breach of trust, cheating, and conspiracy, finding a case of dishonest acquisition of AJL properties. The upheld the summons in May 2015 but granted exemptions from personal appearance pending further proceedings. Concurrently, the (ED) registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in 2015, probing the ₹90 as proceeds of crime routed through YIL to usurp AJL assets. Legal challenges ensued, with the accused contesting and ED actions. In 2018, the trial court rejected discharge pleas, observing that YIL's acquisition appeared to circumvent loan recovery for personal gain. The in 2019 stayed ED to on medical grounds but allowed investigations to continue. By 2022, appeared before the ED for questioning, followed by in 2023 after repeated adjournments due to health issues; both denied wrongdoing, asserting the transaction revived a defunct without personal profit. In 2024, the ED attached AJL properties worth ₹751 crore, including land in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, as proceeds of crime, prompting Congress allegations of political vendetta. The trial court framed charges in October 2023, but appeals delayed proceedings. As of 2025, the case intensified with the ED filing a prosecution complaint (chargesheet) against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others, alleging YIL's control over AJL assets constituted money laundering, with the Gandhis as beneficial owners holding 76% effective control. On July 3, 2025, the ED described the case as "classic money laundering," claiming the ₹50 lakh payment masked wrongful gains exceeding ₹2,000 crore. Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju argued on July 9 that the AJL-YIL transaction was a "sham," designed to siphon assets without legitimate consideration. The trial court deferred cognisance of the chargesheet on July 29, 2025, seeking ED clarifications, and reserved orders on July 14 amid contentions over loan legitimacy. On October 20, 2025, the Delhi High Court declined to extend a stay, listing the matter for evidence recording, signaling progression toward trial despite ongoing appeals. No convictions have been secured, with the accused maintaining the probe lacks merit and relies on politically motivated complaints.

Impact and Legacy

Contributions to Journalism

The National Herald, established on September 9, 1938, by in , functioned as a primary vehicle for disseminating perspectives during the independence movement, articulating critiques of British rule and fostering nationalist discourse among English-reading audiences. By providing a dedicated platform for leaders such as Nehru, Sardar Patel, and to reach the public, it amplified calls for self-rule and mobilized intellectual support against colonial policies, marking an early instance of organized aligned with political reform. In response to the launched on August 8, 1942, the newspaper adhered to Mahatma Gandhi's directive for voluntary press defiance against censorship, ceasing operations and prompting a British ban that lasted until 1945; this stance highlighted its prioritization of ideological integrity over commercial continuity, influencing subsequent patterns of journalistic resistance to authority in . Under editors like M. Chalapathi Rau, it maintained a reputation for uncompromised reporting on freedom-related events, contributing to the era's ecosystem of partisan yet impactful media that pressured imperial governance. Following in , the National Herald ranked among India's leading English dailies, with a circulation that peaked in the thousands during the Nehruvian period, and it regularly featured op-eds from Nehru, thereby bridging political leadership with public commentary on nation-building. Its editorial lineage, guided by figures recognized for journalistic caliber, sustained coverage of progressive policies and social issues, though often through a Congress-centric lens that shaped early post-colonial narrative framing in Indian print media.

Criticisms of Bias and Sustainability

The National Herald has been criticized for editorial bias favoring the , with detractors describing it as a partisan mouthpiece rather than an objective news outlet due to its historical founding by in 1938 and subsequent control by Congress-affiliated entities. BJP leaders, including , have alleged that Congress-ruled state governments channeled funds to the publication through disproportionate advertisements, further entrenching its perceived alignment with party interests over journalistic neutrality. Such criticisms highlight a pattern where coverage systematically downplays shortcomings while amplifying attacks on opposition figures, undermining credibility in an Indian media landscape already scrutinized for institutional left-leaning tendencies that prioritize over empirical reporting. Specific instances include allegations of incentivizing pro- content, such as promises of payment for articles praising , which reinforce claims of agenda-driven journalism. On sustainability, the newspaper halted print operations on August 27, 2008, after accruing debts of ₹90.21 crore amid persistent operational losses and insufficient ad revenues, rendering its traditional model commercially unviable. The 2016 digital revival, while enabling continued publication, has drawn scrutiny for depending on non-market mechanisms like interest-free loans from Congress totaling ₹90.21 crore routed through Young Indian Pvt Ltd, which critics argue circumvented creditor repayments and prioritized asset control over genuine economic revival. This funding approach, under investigation by the for potential involving over ₹2,000 crore in assets, underscores broader concerns about the outlet's long-term independence, as it appears sustained more by political patronage than reader-supported revenue or advertising viability in a competitive . Ongoing legal proceedings as of 2025 reveal no evidence of profitability post-relaunch, with assets like prime properties in , , and eyed for seizure, casting doubt on whether the publication can endure without further infusions tied to its political origins.

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  107. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/national-herald-case-ed-set-to-take-over-700-crore-of-gandhis-assets/articleshow/120241982.cms
  108. https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/national-herald-case-ed-opposes-arguments-of-accused-persons/articleshow/122323498.cms
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