National Herald Case : Rahul Gandhi Appears Before ED For Third Consecutive Day; Congress To Continue Protests; Bhupesh Baghel Terms It Political Vendetta

Picture : Twitter / ANI

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday for the third consecutive day of questioning in the National Herald money laundering case.

Gandhi (51) arrived at the ED headquarters on APJ Abdul Kalam Road in central Delhi around 11.35 am with his “Z+” category CRPF security escort. He was accompanied by his sister, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

He had left this office at 11:30 pm on Tuesday night after being questioned for over 11 hours.

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) is in force.

The Congress MP from Wayanad has spent around 21 hours at the ED’s office over the last two days where he was questioned over multiple sessions and his statement recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Officials said Gandhi’s questioning could not be completed on Tuesday, and hence, he was asked to continue the recording of his statement on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, slamming the Modi government, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel accused the BJP of indulging in “political vendetta” against the opposition and claimed that cases are “hushed up” when a person joins the ruling party. Baghel, along with other party leaders, staged a dharna in front of the ED office, and was later detained by the Delhi Police, party leaders said. Talking to the media, Baghel termed the ED’s action “malicious” and accused the BJP government of indulging in “political vendetta” against the opposition. He cautioned that as the Centre continues to “perpetrate atrocities”, the protests will continue.