Congress leaders on Wednesday staged a protest within the Parliament House complex, accusing the Centre of political vendetta after a Delhi court granted relief to senior party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. The demonstration followed the court’s refusal to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Carrying placards and a banner reading “Satyamev Jayate, Truth Prevails,” Congress MPs gathered near the steps of the Makar Dwar inside Parliament. They raised slogans against the Narendra Modi-led government and demanded a public apology, alleging that investigative agencies were being misused to harass opposition leaders.
Several senior Congress leaders participated in the protest, including K.C. Venugopal, Mukul Wasnik, Shashi Tharoor, Tariq Anwar, Kumari Selja, K. Suresh and Manickam Tagore. The MPs said the court’s decision vindicated their long-standing claim that the case lacked legal merit and was driven by political motives.
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On Tuesday, Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court held that the ED’s prosecution complaint was not maintainable and declined to take cognisance of the matter. While granting relief to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, the court clarified that the ED remains free to continue its investigation in accordance with law.
The ED had named several individuals and entities in the case, including Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, Sunil Bhandari, Young Indian and Dotex Merchandise Private Limited. The case relates to allegations that Congress leaders conspired to acquire assets worth over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Ltd by paying Rs 50 lakh through Young Indian.
Welcoming the court’s order, the Congress held a special press briefing in New Delhi attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi and K.C. Venugopal. The party reiterated its faith in the judiciary and vowed to continue opposing what it described as the ruling government’s misuse of central agencies for political ends.
Also Read: Congress Says ED Misuse Exposed After Court Declines Cognisance in National Herald Case