Congress MP Rahul Gandhi appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday for the third consecutive day of questioning in the National Herald money laundering case.
A huge contingent of police and paramilitary personnel was deployed around the federal agency’s office, and prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) are in force. In the last two days, Rahul Gandhi has spent around 21 hours at the ED’s office, where he was questioned over multiple sessions and his statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Officials said Rahul Gandhi’s questioning could not be completed on Tuesday, and hence, he was asked to continue the recording of his statement on Wednesday.
Hundreds of Congress workers in Delhi took to the streets and several senior leaders were detained as they protested against the summons to Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in what the party alleges is a false case.
Indian Youth Congress president Srinivas BV, who was protesting at party headquarters on Akbar Road, Delhi, has alleged he was kicked from behind by police personnel. Lying flat on the ground and surrounded by cops, he challenged the police to take him away if they dared.
Meanwhile, Tamilnadu Chief Minister M K Stalin in a late-night tweet on Tuesday criticised the questioning of Rahul Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate. He tweeted, ‘I condemn the outrageous act of political vendetta against Congress party and its leaders Sonia Gandhi and Thiru @RahulGandhi by the ruling BJP govt using the Enforcement Directorate.’
‘Having no answers to the pressing issues of the common man, BJP uses such diversionary tactics to save itself from the public ire. Political opponents should be fought politically, not by ‘forcing’ the Enforcement Directorate.’