The Congress on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah after the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald case.

Labelling it a blatant act of vendetta politics, the grand old party also condemned the seizure of the newspaper’s assets as a “state-sponsored crime disguised as justice,” vowing to fight back against what it calls an attempt to silence its leadership.

In a fiery statement on X, Congress general secretary in charge of communication Jairam Ramesh accused PM Modi and Shah of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation. “Filing chargesheets against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others is nothing but the politics of vendetta gone wild,” Ramesh posted. “Seizing National Herald’s assets is a mockery of the rule of law.”

Hitting out at Shah, the Congress leader accused him of going “completely berserk.” He asserted that the Indian National Congress and its leadership refuse to be silenced, stating: “Satyameva Jayate.”

The ED’s chargesheet has accused the Congress leaders of money laundering under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Alongside Sonia and Rahul, it names Congress figures Suman Dubey and Sam Pitroda. Special Judge Vishal Gogne reviewed the document for cognisance, scheduling further proceedings for April 25, with the filing handled by ED’s special public prosecutor, N.K. Matta.

Ramesh asserted that the Congress remains undeterred, promising, “We will not be silenced, and the truth will triumph.” The chargesheet reignites a long-standing legal battle tied to the National Herald, a newspaper associated with the Congress since India’s independence era.

The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court has scheduled a hearing for arguments on the ongoing National Herald case for April 25, 2025.

During a recent session, the presiding judge stated, “The present prosecution complaint shall next be taken up for consideration on the aspect of cognisance before this court on April 25, 2025, when the special counsel for the ED and the investigating officer will ensure the production of case diaries for the court’s examination.”

The prosecution complaint, lodged under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002, pertains to allegations of money laundering, as outlined in Section 3, in conjunction with Section 70, and is punishable under Section 4 of the same act, as per the report.

This case has garnered significant attention, following a complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul, their associated companies, and other individuals involved.

In a significant escalation of trade tensions between China and the United States, Beijing has directed its airlines to stop receiving aircraft from American aerospace manufacturer Boeing, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Additionally, Chinese authorities have ordered their carriers to cease purchasing aircraft-related equipment and components from U.S. companies.

This development, initially reported by Bloomberg News, comes amid rising tensions in the ongoing trade conflict between Washington and Beijing, which began following the introduction of “reciprocal tariffs” under former President Donald Trump.

Since Trump took office in January, the two largest economies in the world have engaged in a reciprocal trade war, with the U.S. imposing tariffs as high as 145 percent on certain Chinese imports.

In retaliation, Beijing has described Washington’s actions as illegal “bullying” and has implemented counter-tariffs of 125 percent on American goods, claiming that further tax increases would be futile.

The recent Chinese government order to suspend Boeing deliveries, affecting both state-owned and private airlines, is interpreted as part of China’s broader strategy to address the U.S. tariffs.

This halt in Boeing deliveries could have significant repercussions for both China’s aviation industry and the American aerospace sector.

On the same day, China emphasized its commitment to forging stronger trade relationships, with the foreign ministry stating its preference for cooperation over conflict. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, remarked during a briefing that China aims to “tear down walls” and foster connections instead of creating barriers.

Meanwhile, the World Trade Organization has cautioned that the intense trade dispute between the two nations could lead to an 80% reduction in goods shipments between them and could severely impact global economic growth.

The Uttar Pradesh Police has transferred senior IPS officer and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Varuna Zone, Chandrakant Meena, from a high-profile gang-rape case involving a 19-year-old girl in Varanasi, according to reports.

This came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention during his 50th visit to his parliamentary constituency last week, amid growing outrage over the brutal crime.

Upon landing at Varanasi airport few days ago, Modi was briefed by Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal and other officials about the case, which involves the alleged gang-rape of a young woman by 23 men. Visibly upset, the Prime Minister expressed dismay at the police’s handling of the investigation and demanded stringent action against the perpetrators. He also directed authorities to implement measures to prevent such atrocities in the future, sources said.

Shortly after, a letter from the Inspector General (Personnel) at Uttar Pradesh Police Headquarters confirmed Meena’s transfer to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP). Meena, a 2018-batch officer with a distinguished record, including roles as ADCP Kashi Zone and DCP Crime, becomes the first official to face repercussions for alleged lapses in the case.

The case centers on a 19-year-old from Khajuri, Varanasi, who went missing on March 29, 2025, and was recovered by police on April 4. Her mother filed a complaint on April 6, leading to a gang-rape case against 23 accused—11 identified and 12 unidentified. As of now, 13 suspects are in custody, with 10 still at large, police confirmed.

According to the survivor’s statement, a friend lured her to a hookah bar in Pishachmochan on March 29, where others joined them. She alleges she was drugged with a spiked drink and taken to various hotels in the Sigra area, where she endured repeated assaults over six days. “The ordeal unfolded across multiple locations, orchestrated by a group that exploited her vulnerability,” a senior officer revealed.