List Of Cases Against Gandhis Filed By Subramanian Swamy
Subramanian Swamy vs. The Gandhis: A Relentless Legal Crusade
Dr. Subramanian Swamy, one of India’s most outspoken and controversial politicians, has consistently positioned himself as a watchdog against corruption, dynastic politics, and what he perceives as the erosion of Indian national identity. Over the years, his primary political targets have been members of the Gandhi family—particularly Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. His pursuit of legal action against them stems not only from political rivalry but also from what Swamy claims is his commitment to exposing corruption and protecting India’s democratic institutions. His legal battles, often pursued with dogged determination, have generated serious political tremors.
The National Herald Case: The Crown Jewel of Swamy’s Campaign
Perhaps the most prominent case Swamy initiated is the National Herald case, which has haunted the Gandhi family since 2012. At the heart of the controversy is the takeover of Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL)—the company that once published the National Herald newspaper—by a company called Young Indian Pvt. Ltd., in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi hold a 76% majority stake.
Swamy accused the Gandhis of using this shell company to illegally acquire assets worth over ₹5,000 crore, including real estate properties across India. He filed a complaint alleging cheating, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of property. The courts took the matter seriously, issuing summons to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, both of whom had to appear personally. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax Department subsequently began probing money laundering and tax evasion angles.
This case significantly damaged the Congress party’s image and gave a strong boost to Swamy’s reputation as a legal activist taking on the most powerful family in Indian politics.
AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper Scam
Swamy has also linked the Gandhi family—particularly Sonia Gandhi—to the AgustaWestland chopper deal scam, which involved a ₹3,600 crore deal for the procurement of VVIP helicopters. He alleged that kickbacks were paid to influential political figures and bureaucrats to ensure the contract was awarded to the Italian company AgustaWestland.
Swamy pointed out that Italian court documents referred to “Signora Gandhi” and demanded that the CBI and ED probe Sonia Gandhi’s possible role in facilitating the deal. Though her direct involvement hasn’t been legally established, the repeated naming of the Gandhis in connection with the scandal further dented the Congress party’s credibility.
2G Spectrum Scam and the Role of UPA Leadership
The 2G spectrum scam, one of India’s biggest corruption scandals, saw telecom licenses issued at throwaway prices, causing an estimated loss of ₹1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer. While the main accused was A. Raja, a DMK minister, Swamy contended that the entire scam took place under the political patronage of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Swamy filed a case demanding a probe into her role and alleged that Congress leadership enabled and protected corrupt practices during the UPA regime. Though the court later acquitted the accused due to lack of evidence, Swamy’s efforts helped maintain public pressure on the Gandhis and painted them as enablers of systemic corruption.
Aircel-Maxis Deal: Uncovering Foreign Links?
In the Aircel-Maxis deal, Swamy alleged that FDI clearance was improperly granted to the Maxis Group under the influence of then Finance Minister P. Chidambaram. He went further to suggest that Rahul Gandhi had financial ties to the companies involved.
He urged investigative agencies to examine whether the UPA government, under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, had pressured regulatory bodies to clear the deal despite red flags. The matter remains under investigation, and while no direct link to the Gandhis has been established, Swamy continues to cite it as an example of high-level interference and cronyism.
Young Indian Ltd. and Tax Evasion
Apart from the main National Herald case, Swamy pursued income tax and money laundering cases against Young Indian Pvt. Ltd., arguing that the company was created not for journalistic revival but to usurp properties and evade taxes.
The Income Tax Department assessed that Young Indian owed back taxes, and the ED initiated attachment proceedings of properties involved. These legal moves reinforced Swamy’s narrative that the Gandhis were running a financial empire behind the façade of legacy institutions.
Rahul Gandhi’s Citizenship Controversy
Another sensational allegation came in the form of the citizenship row, where Swamy claimed that Rahul Gandhi had declared himself a British citizen in filings related to a company called BackOps Ltd. in the UK. Swamy submitted documents to the Home Ministry and Election Commission, demanding Rahul’s disqualification as a Member of Parliament.
The Home Ministry did issue a notice to Rahul Gandhi in 2019, but the matter did not result in any legal action. Still, it gave Swamy yet another opportunity to question Rahul’s eligibility to hold public office.
Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Chinese Funds
Swamy also accused Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), a trust headed by Sonia Gandhi, of receiving foreign donations, including from the Chinese government, during the UPA years. He claimed these contributions violated the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and constituted a national security risk.
Following his allegations, the Modi government initiated a probe, and in 2020, the FCRA license of the RGF was cancelled. The ED continues to investigate the financial activities of the foundation.
Bofors Revival: Ghosts from the Past
While the Bofors scandal dates back to the 1980s and implicates the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Swamy has repeatedly tried to revive the issue. He claims that Sonia Gandhi used her influence to protect Ottavio Quattrocchi, an Italian businessman and a close family associate, from prosecution.
Though courts eventually closed the case due to lack of evidence, Swamy keeps the issue alive in public discourse, emphasizing the Gandhi family’s alleged role in covering up corruption.
Accusations of Black Money and Foreign Espionage
Swamy has gone as far as alleging that Sonia Gandhi has undisclosed foreign bank accounts and links to foreign intelligence agencies. While these claims are yet to be substantiated in any court, they serve Swamy’s larger purpose of portraying the Gandhis as both corrupt and disloyal to India’s national interests.
Conclusion: A Battle of Ideologies and Power
Subramanian Swamy’s legal crusade against the Gandhi family goes far beyond personal animosity or political rivalry. For him, it’s a battle to dismantle what he sees as a corrupt and dynastic grip over Indian politics. His relentless pursuit has kept multiple agencies engaged, embarrassed the Congress party, and raised important questions about transparency and accountability in public life.
While critics accuse him of waging a personal vendetta or indulging in political grandstanding, supporters hail him as a fearless warrior against entrenched corruption. Whether or not all his allegations are proven, Swamy has undeniably played a key role in challenging the dominance of the Gandhi family in Indian politics through the legal route.
Comments are closed.