Rahul Gandhi quizzed for 2.5 hours in money-laundering probe

INDIAN National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday (13) in a money laundering probe linked to the National Herald newspaper after the member of parliament reached the agency's headquarters here accompanied by a battery of party leaders and supporters. After his questioning for about two-and-a-half hours, he was allowed to leave for lunch for some time, they said.

Gandhi, 51, is expected to join the questioning again and resume the recording of his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The money laundering probe pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the party-promoted Young Indian that owns the National Herald newspaper.

Indian National Congress leaders at a protest before marching towards the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in support of party leader Rahul Gandhi, who was summoned by ED in the National Herald case, in New Delhi on Monday, June 13, 2022. (ANI Photo/ Rahul Singh)

Maharashtra Congress stages protest

The Maharashtra Congress on Monday staged protests outside the ED's office in Mumbai and other parts of the state over the summons issued by the probe agency to party leaders Sonia Gandh and Rahul Gandhi in a money laundering case linked to the National Herald-Associated Journals Ltd deal.

Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said be it Rahul or Sonia Gandhi, the Nehru-Gandhi family has only contributed to the country — from freedom struggle to nation building after independence.

"Targeting this family and tarnishing its image by calling them before the ED office...not only Congressmen, but even the common man stands behind the Gandhi family," Patole said. "We protested against this oppressive government outside the ED office," he said.

In Nagpur city in Maharashtra, Congress leaders and workers marched to the ED's office in Seminary Hills area and staged a huge demonstration there to express solidarity with Rahul Gandhi. The party workers said they would intensify the protest in case of any action by the ED against Gandhi. The party legislators and workers in other parts of Vidarbha also staged protests. Such protests will continue till the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, some of the party leaders said.