The Enforcement Directorate questioned Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in a money laundering case related to the National Herald newspaper. The day was a show of strength for the party with street protests and leaders courting arrest across the country. She has been summoned again. The questioning ended after two hours and 15 minutes, officials said.
She would be willing to respond to any other questions they might have and was ready to stay on till 8 pm or 9 pm if necessary, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted. However, she was Covid patient and needed to take her medicines so she should be informed about what time she should appear next. Gandhi replied to about 27 of top 28 questions.
According to sources, while the Congress chief was leaving, the ED asked her to depose on July 26 but she suggested that she can come on July 25, to which both sides agreed. An ED official said, "The agency wants to take its probe forward in the best way possible and we do not want her to feel uncomfortable given her age and recent health issues”.
According to Ramesh, the ED said it had nothing to ask of her either on Thursday or Friday. After which Sonia said she was willing to appear on Monday, Ramesh added. The questioning was conducted keeping in mind Covid protocol and with a Covid-negative certificate. An ambulance and two doctors from AIIMS were also stationed inside the ED office premises.
Sonia was questioned by the same assistant director-level inquiry officer who interrogated her son Rahul Gandhi. Opposition parties issued a statement condemning the Modi government for “misusing” enforcement agencies to harass political leaders and critics.
