Why ED Questioned Rahul Gandhi For Five Days In National Herald Case

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate for the fifth day in the National Herald case.

'Tiring' interrogations: Rahul Gandhi was questioned for three consecutive days from 13 June to 15 June for over 27 hours.

• Reportedly, he sought a break after three consecutive days of interrogation.

• ED again summoned him on 20 June when he was questioned for around 14 hours.

• Again, on 21 June, the interrogation lasted for around 12 hours. Gandhi was given a 30-minute break after 9 hours of questioning.

What's the case: The case revolves around cheating and breach of trust in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd by Young Indian Ltd (YIL).

• The ED is currently probing the shareholding pattern, the financial transactions of AJL and YIL, and the role of Congress functionaries in the functioning of the two entities.

• Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi hold 76 per cent of the YIL shares, while 24 per cent was with late Congress leaders Oscar Fernandes and Motilal Vora.

• It is alleged that YIL took over over the assets of AJL in a malicious manner and paid just Rs 50 lakh to obtain the rights to recover Rs 90.25 crore which AJL owed the Congress party.

Where is the case stuck: Reportedly, Rahul Gandhi is unable to answer how Congress gave a loan to AJL and if there was any evidence of it.

• Congress has been claiming that AJL was given a loan of over Rs 90 crore over a period of time.

• It is also claimed that AJL converted its debt into equity to offset the loan and sold it to YIL.

• However, Congress leaders have not been able to share any transaction documents that support their claims.

Congress' reaction: Congress has been staging protests since ED began questioning Rahul Gandhi.

• Congress criticised ED for dragging Gandhi’s questioning for days and organised 'Satyagrah March' in solidarity with Gandhi.

• All India Mahila Congress president Netta D'Souza on Tuesday spat at cops during a protest.

Sonia Gandhi amid this: She was asked to appear before the ED on 8 June but had sought time in view of her Covid infection.

• She was discharged from the hospital on 20 June after recovering from Covid.

• She is an equal shareholder with Rahul Gandhi in YIL with 38 per cent shares in her name.

• ED has issues fresh summons to her for appearance on 23 June.