Rahul quizzed by ED in National Herald case, BJP calls Congress protest bid to save Gandhi family's assets

Rahul, a Lok Sabha MP, was rallied by his party colleagues as he headed to the ED office.

Rahul Gandhi at ED office

After being questioned for straight three hours, Rahul left for lunch.

After his lunch, the Wayanad MP headed back to the ED office.

Various protesting Congress leaders including spokespersons Randeep Singh Surjewala, Shama Mohamed were detained by Delhi Police.

What is the case?

As per the complaint filed in the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate, Associated Journals Limited (AJL) took an interest-free loan of Rs 90.25 crore from the Congress, which was not paid back.

A closely held company, Young India, was incorporated in Nov 2010 with a capital of Rs 50 lakh, and acquired almost all the shareholding of AJL and its properties.

BJP slams Congress protest

Union Minister Smriti Irani Monday accused the Congress of trying to pressurise the Enforcement Directorate by holding protests and said it was an attempt to save the assets of Gandhi family.

"Congress leaders have taken to the street to pressurize an investigating agency openly because their corruption has been exposed," Irani, who had defeated Rahul in Amethi in 2019, said.

Smriti Irani

In a direct attack on Rahul, Irani said, "The Wayanad MP must explain to the nation 'What is the link of Rahul Gandhi with Dotex Company?'."

"Why is the Gandhi family interested in a former newspaper publishing company which is now running a real estate business...This shows that not just his brother-in-law Robert Vadra but the entire Gandhi family is fascinated by real estate," she said.

"In the 1930s, Associate Journals Limited was formed with 5,000 freedom fighters as shareholders. Today, a company that was to be run by freedom fighters has been usurped by the Gandhi family," the minister said.

(Images: Twitter/Congress/BJP)