ED questions Rahul Gandhi for over 10 hours on day 5

New Delhi, June 21

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate for over 10 hours on Tuesday, the fifth day of his deposition in the National Herald money laundering case.

The Congress MP from Wayanad has spent over 50 hours at the ED office over five sittings with the investigators questioning him over multiple sessions and recording his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

It is understood that his questioning will end on Tuesday night.

Gandhi, 52, took a half-hour break around 8 pm and rejoined the session that started at 11.30 am.

Sources said the recording of his statement on various aspects of the case is reaching finality and once the Congress leader finally submits his statement with his signature on every A4 size paper, the sessions that began on June 13 may end.

He was questioned for three consecutive days last week, and after Monday’s questioning, he was asked to rejoin the session and complete the recording of his statement. Gandhi left the agency office after midnight on Monday.

The probe relates to alleged financial irregularities in the Congress-promoted Young Indian Private Limited, which owns the National Herald newspaper.

The ED is understood to be asking Gandhi about the incorporation of the Young Indian Private Limited, operations of the National Herald, the loan given by the party to the newspaper’s publisher Associated Journals Limited (AJL), and the transfer of funds within the news media establishment.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has also been summoned by the agency for questioning in the case on June 23.

Meanwhile, the Congress on Tuesday staged a Satyagraha at the party headquarters here alleging “misuse” of the Enforcement Directorate and “harassment” of party leader Rahul Gandhi.

The protesting leaders, including Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, later announced a march to Jantar Mantar here, but the police prevented them for lack of permission.

Several Congress workers and MPs were detained, including Benny Benhanan, Anto Anthony, Deepak Baij, Saptagiri Ulaka, Gaurav Gogoi, Ranjeet Ranjan, Amee Yajnik, Santhokh Singh, K Suresh, Chella Kumar, Kuldeep Rai Sharma and Mohd Zawaid, besides former minister Bhakta Charan Das, Chhattisgarh minister Amarjeet Bhagat and ex-MP Kamal Kishore Commando.

The police said the Congress leaders were given permission to stage protest at Jantar Mantar, but they were not allowed to take out a march.