In the midst of a massive demonstration by the Congress in Delhi, party leader Rahul Gandhi was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate on Monday in connection with a money laundering inquiry involving the National Herald newspaper.
Around 11.10 a.m., the Congress MP was escorted by a slew of party leaders who entered the probe agency’s headquarters. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram were among the party heavyweights that accompanied Gandhi.
As Rahul Gandhi and other party officials marched towards the investigative agency’s office in Delhi, there were chaotic scenes in the streets, with party workers chanting anti-government slogans. The Delhi Police stopped the Congress march at barricades in the face of heavy security to put an end to the protest rally.
During a protest march, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP KC Venugopal was spotted being dragged away by Delhi Police. Venugopal, 59, was forcefully pulled up by police officers and escorted to a waiting bus, according to videos that have surfaced.
As the convoy of seven SUVs, led by armed CRPF soldiers, entered the ED office on APJ Abdul Kalam Road, Priyanka Gandhi sat on Rahul Gandhi’s left side in his car. After the Union government revoked the Gandhi family’s SPG cover in 2019, Rahul Gandhi, 51, became a Z+ category CRPF protectee.
Following the questioning of Rahul Gandhi and his counsel, the Congress leaders sat in the streets and continued their protest. Following that, top leaders were seized and placed on buses.
On Monday, the Delhi Police imposed Section 144 CrPC on the area surrounding the party’s headquarters on Akbar Road, warning people not to break the law.
The gathering, however, would not be cancelled, according to party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. Since Sunday night, he claims, over a thousand workers have been held. Protests by the Congress have also been held in other parts of the country.
This is Gandhi’s first appearance before a federal investigation agency for questioning in a case. Surjewala told Congress MPs and workers gathered at the AICC headquarters that they would march peacefully towards the ED office and that if they were stopped, they would face arrest.
CM BAGHEL SAYS HE HAS BEEN ARRESTED.
Chhattisgarh During the protest near the ED office, Chief Minister Baghel said he was arrested. “I’ve been detained….you should inquire as to why I’ve been detained with the Delhi Police, “Outside the ED office, he informed reporters.
This is a totalitarian regime. Several members of Congress have been jailed because they planned to march peacefully. I’m being held as well. The fact that Congress employees were not allowed to enter the Capitol is unprecedented. Baghel questioned how the ED could summon him if there was no FIR. He is being detained rather than arrested, according to the police, because he refused to leave despite multiple warnings.
WHAT IS THE ISSUE IN THIS CASE?
Rahul Gandhi’s statement will be recorded by the Enforcement Directorate under penal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation is on potential financial irregularities at the Young Indian newspaper, which is owned by the party. The Associated Journals Limited (AJL) publishes the National Herald, which is owned by Young Indian Pvt Limited.
Rahul Gandhi is expected to face questions about the formation of the Young Indian firm, the National Herald’s operations, and the transfer of finances within the news media system.
THE BJP RETURNS
The BJP on Monday slammed the Congress’ protest march in support of Rahul Gandhi, saying that the opposition party’s members were out on the streets to promote corruption and purportedly preserve the Gandhi family’s assets worth over Rs 2,000 crore.
Smriti Irani, a BJP politician and Union Minister, told a press conference that the Congress’ show of strength is intended to put pressure on the investigation agency, and that no one is above the law, including Rahul Gandhi “..
Members of Congress should also question Rahul Gandhi about his family’s ties to Dotex Merchandise, a hawala operator whose transactions have been reported by the Financial Intelligence Unit, according to her.