Chances are that Friday's questioning be deferred.
Disowning a family loyalist ?
Rahul Gandhi reportedly told the ED officials that former Congress Treasurer Motilal Vora, a former Madhya Pradesh CM and a dynasty loyalist, was "responsible for all transactions" related to the acquisition of Associated Journals Limited (AJL) by Young Indian.
New Delhi
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will question Congress leader Rahul Gandhi yet again on Friday in the National Herald-money laundering case and the day's developments could be crucial.
He has been questioned three times already and the Congress has alleged 'ill treatment' being meted out to Rahul and other party leaders as they continue to stage noisy protests across the country.
ED officials have contradicted '20 hour' grilling reports and said Rahul Gandhi was questioned for six hours and rest of the time was spent 'correcting' answers.
In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress floor leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said
Rahul has been grilled for 10 to 11 hours on average this kind of "inhuman treatment" with a MP
"smacks of a heinous conspiracy to settle political scores".
The BJP has of course denied the charge but sources said security measures were beefed up in
Delhi on Wednesday when Rahul appeared for third round of questioning on the charge of money laundering.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, "The Modi government can arrest him even
without a case. I don't think he will be arrested, because they have no evidence against him".
Eyewitness accounts said many areas in the Lutyen's city barricades were applied and movement of people
were diverted and put on checks.
Essentially the charges against Congress include that of money laundering and illegal takeover of prime real
estate.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said the loan of Rs 90.25 crore as Congress claims it has given to revive
the newspaper was "illegal" as it came from party funds.
Under the Income-Tax Act, he says, no political organisation can have financial transactions with a third party.
The Congress questions the 'money laundering angle'
But the other version is, it is a case of 'loans' involving fake companies.
The loans were from fake companies for cash given by Congress and so it is 'money laundering', it is alleged.
Delhi police said a 'proper arrangement' has been planned and they will ensure no unlawful gathering happens
on June 17 and as Section 144 in CrPC has been imposed.
Congress leaders and workers staged a protest on Thursday also.
Sources said Rahul Gandhi had sought 'exemption' from questioning on Thursday (June 16) and hence
he has been called on Friday.
BJP leaders on the condition of anonymity have said that while Narendra Modi as Gujarat CM was questioned
for hours on riots cases but no protest was staged, the Congress party is only giving wrong signals
by their protest and making hundreds of workers take to streets.
"It seems Congress party is signaling to all economic offenders of the country that when confronted
with probe and questioning, the way to respond to that is to collect a crowd," Union Minister Rajeev
Chandrasekhar has said.
ends
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