New Delhi: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday and was questioned by the probe agency for ten hours in an alleged money laundering case related to the National Herald. According to news agency ANI, the ED has asked Rahul Gandhi to appear again tomorrow i.e. on Tuesday. After the first round of questioning, Rahul Gandhi was allowed to leave the ED headquarters for lunch at around 2.10 pm. After lunch, he again appeared before the ED at around 3.30 pm.
The ED had questioned Rahul Gandhi for about three hours in the first round, while in the second round he held talks for five and a half hours.
Congress Leaders Protest
In the morning, Rahul reached the ED office from the Congress headquarters for questioning. On this occasion, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, many senior Congress leaders and a large number of workers reached and expressed their support for Rahul Gandhi. When Rahul Gandhi's convoy reached the ED headquarters, Priyanka Gandhi was also sitting next to him in the car.
Know About The Case
The agency had recorded Rahul's statement under criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to officials, the questioning of senior Congress leaders and the Gandhi family is part of the ED's probe to understand the stake pattern, financial transactions and role of promoters of 'Young Indian' and 'Associated Journals Limited' (AJL). The promoters and shareholders of 'Young Indian' include Sonia Gandhi and some other Congress members including Rahul Gandhi.
ED's Summons To Rahul 'Baseless'?
The alleged financial irregularities in 'Young Indian' are also under investigation. Congress said that the allegations leveled against its top leaders are "baseless" and the ED's action is being taken as part of the politics of vendetta. He has also said that he and his leadership are not going to bow down.
Terming the allegations against top Congress leaders as baseless, the party's chief spokesperson Surjewala said, "Congress is a political party and a political party cannot buy stake in a company. Therefore, a not-for-profit company (not for profit company) by the name of 'Young Indian' was given shares of 'National Herald' and Associated Journals Ltd. to clear the debt of Rs 90 crore."