Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning for the fifth day on Tuesday in a money laundering case associated with the National Herald newspaper. Officials said he has been asked to join the probe on Tuesday and continue recording his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Wayanad MP has been questioned nearly 40 hours in four days at the ED headquarters on APJ Abdul Kalam Road in the national capital. The agency recorded his statements three days in a row from June 13 to 15 and allowed his request to be with his hospitalised mother, Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The questioning resumed on Monday, a day after his 52nd birthday.
The probe pertains 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 Rahul 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.
Quoting sources, PTI reported that Rahul Gandhi was asked about a loan of Rs 1 crore taken by Young Indian Private Limited from a Kolkata-based company in February 2011 and the rationale behind it.
Sonia Gandhi, who was discharged from hospital on Monday, has also been summoned by the agency for questioning in the case on June 23. The party chief was scheduled to appear before the agency on June 8 but had sought more time in view of her Covid infection.
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are among the promoters and majority shareholders of the Young Indian Private Limited. Like her son, the Congress president too has 38 per cent shareholding.
Meanwhile, Senior Congress leaders and workers held a protest at Jantar Mantar against the ED action.
With PTI inputs
