Highlights
- Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will appear before ED for the second time tomorrow
- She will be questioned in relation to the National Herald Case
- Alleging political vendetta, Congress is likely to raise matter in the Parliament
Sonia Gandhi's ED questioning: Congress President Sonia Gandhi is expected to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Tuesday (today) for her second round of questioning in the money laundering case linked to the National Herald newspaper. She is expected to depose before the federal probe agency around noon on July 26 for recording of her statement by the ED investigating officer, officials said. Initially, she was summoned by the agency on Monday but it was deferred by a day.
The 75-five-year old Gandhi was questioned for over two hours during her first day of questioning in the case on July 21 where she replied to 28 questions put forth by the agency, that is probing alleged financial irregularities in the Congress-promoted Young Indian Private Limited, which owns the National Herald newspaper.
Questioning to be held following all Covid protocols
Officials said that like it was on the first day of her appearance, all Covid-appropriate protocols will be put in place Tuesday as well such as stationing of doctors and an ambulance, 'Covid negative' certificates of investigators and proper physical distancing between Gandhi and the team of investigators.
Rahul, Priyanka expected to accompany Sonia Gandhi
Gandhi's children Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi are expected to accompany her to the ED office again like they did last week. Vadra may again stay back in order to provide any medicines and other medical care, if required.
Congress cries political vendetta
The Congress has slammed the agency's action against its top leadership and termed it "political vendetta".
The Delhi Police is also expected to deploy a huge force, including CRPF and RAF personnel, and barricade the entire over one kilometre stretch between her residence and the ED office.
The move to question the Gandhis was initiated after the ED late last year registered a fresh case under the criminal provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
This was after a trial court here took cognisance of an Income Tax department probe against Young Indian based on a private criminal complaint by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in 2013.
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are among the promoters and majority shareholders in Young Indian. Like her son, the Congress president too has 38 per cent shareholding.
Subramanian Swamy accused Gandhis of cheating
Swamy had accused the Gandhis and others of conspiring to cheat and misappropriate funds, with Young Indian paying only Rs 50 lakh to obtain the right to recover Rs 90.25 crore that Associate Journals Limited owed to the Congress.
In February last year, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Gandhis seeking their response on Swamy's plea. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Pawan Bansal were questioned by the ED in the case in April.
Congress maintains stand of no-wrongdoing
The Congress has maintained there has been no wrongdoing and Young Indian is a "not-for-profit" company established under section 25 of the Companies Act and hence there can be no question of money laundering.
It is understood that Rahul Gandhi, during his deposition before the ED, stuck to the position that there was no personal acquisition of assets by himself or his family.
According to the ED, assets worth about Rs 800 crore are "owned" by the AJL and the agency wants to know from the Gandhis how a not-for-profit company like Young Indian was undertaking commercial activities of renting out its land and building assets.
Congress prepares for protest
Congress MPs will raise the issue in the House as monsoon session is in place aginst ED action. Also, there will be a joint protest by several opposition parties at the Gandhi statue, followed by at Vijay Chowk. From there, the Congress leader will proceed to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters.
Senior party leaders will display a sit-in protest at AICC instead of marching along with the Congress leader.
Earlier this evening, Congress called a meeting of the party leaders to prepare for protests and asked to hold a peaceful 'satyagraha'.
Last week, Congress held protests when Sonia Gandhi was summoned to the ED. Congress MPs protested in the Parliament premises and later tried to march to the ED office but were detained and later released.
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