The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for around nine hours, clocking almost 50 hours in five sessions with him this month in a money laundering case related to the National Herald newspaper.
Rahul reached the ED office at around 11:15 am to appear for the fifth session of questioning and recording of his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He left just before 8 pm. It was not known immediately if he has been called again.
Unlike previous sessions, there was no break on Tuesday and the session continued until just before 8 pm when he was let go.
The ED investigation pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the Congress-promoted Young Indian Private Limited (YIL), which owns the National Herald newspaper.
The ED is understood to be asking Rahul about the incorporation of the YIL, operations of the National Herald, the loan given by the Congress party to the newspaper's publisher Associated Journals Limited (AJL), and the transfer of funds within the news media establishment.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has also been summoned by ED for questioning in the case on June 23. She was discharged from a private hospital on Monday where she was admitted for Covid-related issues and has now been advised rest.
The Congress has accused the Centre of targeting Opposition leaders by misusing investigative agencies and has termed the entire action a political vendetta.
(With PTI Inputs)
