National Herald case: Rahul Gandhi's grilling by ED to continue again today
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New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday in the National Herald case, was asked to appear before it again today, officials said.
They said the questioning on Monday continued well past 9 pm. The Wayanad MP has been questioned for 40 hours in four days so far in a case of alleged money laundering.
He was allowed a break to be with his hospitalized mother, Congress President Sonia Gandhi before questioning resumed on Monday.
Sonia Gandhi, meanwhile, was discharged on Monday after treatment for post-Covid complications. She has also been summoned by the ED but given time till June 23 due to her illness.
The ED is investigating the Gandhis' role in what is known as the National Herald case. It involves the Young Indian's takeover of AJL (Associated Journals Limited), the company that ran the National Herald newspaper, a Congress mouthpiece which has since transformed into an online-only outlet.
The Young Indian took over ₹ 800 crores in assets of AJL and, according to the Income Tax department, this should be considered an asset of Young Indian's shareholders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, for which they should pay tax. Congress has claimed that Young Indian is a non-profit organization, so shareholders cannot make any money from its assets.
The Enforcement Directorate has argued that Young Indian has not done any charitable work; its only transaction was the transfer of AJL's debt. Congress has countered that the newspaper is a charity. The Income Tax order has been challenged in court and is pending in the Supreme Court.
Last week, as Rahul Gandhi was being questioned at the ED office in central Delhi, Congress leaders and workers clashed with Delhi Police, protesting what they call "vendetta politics" by the ruling BJP.
