By Our Special Correspondent
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was questioned for over 10 hours by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering probe linked to the National Herald newspaper and was called to depose again on Tuesday, as his party protested across the country, alleging that the Centre was targeting the Opposition by misusing agencies.
The Federal Agency in Central Delhi concluded some brief legal proceedings at around 11.10 am and questioned him about 20 minutes after he was found to be present.
Authorities said ED allowed him to go to lunch at 2:10 p.m., and returned for questioning at 3:30 p.m. The inquest was held on allegations of financial irregularities in the Young Indian promoted by the party that owns the National Herald newspaper.
Hundreds of Congress workers took to the streets in Delhi and the state capitals and detained several senior leaders, including Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Randeep Surjewala and KC Venugopal. ED called for a satyagraha campaign against summons.
Top party leaders were released from police custody around 11.30 pm shortly after Rahul Gandhi left the Enforcement Directorate office. The main opposition party has alleged that Delhi police carried out a "murderous attack" on their leader Venu gopal and others, while former Home Minister P Chidambaram and Pramod Tiwari suffered hair and rib fractures.
The National Herald is published by the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and owned by Young Indian Pvt.
Asked whether the party would stage a similar show of strength on June 23 when Sonia Gandhi has been asked to appear before ED, Gehlot said, “The Congress is competent to deal with the situation”.
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