Congress Protests Outside National Herald Office After Probe Agency Raid

Congress workers gathered in large numbers at the Herald House in Delhi -- office of the National Herald newspaper -- to protest the Enforcement Directorate raids, carrying placards and raising slogans against the government.

Days after the central probe agency questioned Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in an alleged money laundering case connected to National Herald, the probe agency is today raiding around 12 locations including the offices of the newspaper in Delhi and several other premises linked to Associated Journals Limited (AJL) -- the company that runs the newspaper. Sources say the probe agency is likely to attach properties linked to the case after searches.

Congress has hit back saying the Opposition's questions on crucial issues like inflation, and unemployment had put the government on the back foot. They are unable to answer the people of the country so they are trying to humiliate and blackmail those who are asking uncomfortable questions, the party said.

"It's not just the Congress but leaders of several Opposition parties who are being harassed," Congress spokesperson Syed Naseer Hussain said, adding that the grand old party "will not bow down".

"The raids on Herald House, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg are a part of the continued attack against India's principal opposition-Indian National Congress. 

We strongly condemn this vendetta politics against those who speak up against the Modi Govt. 

You cannot silence us!" Congress MP Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

The raids on Herald House, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg are a part of the continued attack against India's principal opposition—Indian National Congress.

We strongly condemn this vendetta politics against those who speak up against the Modi Govt.

You cannot silence us!

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 2, 2022

Mrs Gandhi was late last month asked over 100 questions in 12 hours spread over three days. Her son and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was earlier questioned over five days and was asked around 150 questions.

The Gandhis are being investigated in what is called the "National Herald case" involving the Young Indian's takeover of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the company that runs the National Herald newspaper founded by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

The Enforcement Directorate says the Young Indian also took over Rs 800 crore in assets of AJL. According to the Income Tax department, this should be considered an asset of the shareholders of Young Indian -- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi - for which they should pay tax.

Denying any wrongdoing, the Congress asserts that the Young Indian is a "not-for-profit" company and so, there can be no question of money laundering.

Congress leaders and workers have carried out massive demonstrations in the national capital, and also across the country, against the questioning of the top leaders. They allege the case is politically motivated and the Centre is using probe agencies for political vendetta.