'... to humiliate leaders': Yashwant Sinha slams ED over Sonia Gandhi summons

Sonia Gandhi, National Herald case: The ED had summoned Sonia Gandhi on June 8 and then June 21, but the Congress chief was unable to comply because she had tested positive for Covid.

Updated on: Jul 21, 2022, 11:06:48 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Presidential hopeful Yashwant Sinha spoke out Thursday against the Enforcement Directorate, which will today question Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at its Delhi office over the National Herald case.

Opposition presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha (ANI Photo)

Sinha - nominated for the president's post by an opposition front that includes the Congress - said the ED is 'humiliating' political leaders and that its officers should have visited Sonia Gandhi - recovering from Covid-19 - at her residence.

"I strongly condemn the attitude of ED to humiliate political leaders. The officers of ED should have gone to her residence even if they had questions to ask of Sonia Gandhi."

An ex union minister and former member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Trinamool Congress, Sinha, 84, is expected to lose to Droupadi Murmu - the BJP's pick to succeed president Ram Nath Kovind.

LIVE UPDATES: Presidential election Result 2022

Sinha isn't the only person to hit out at the ED (and the central government) on Sonia Gandhi's questioning, with Rajasthan chief minister and senior party leader accusing the BJP of ‘misusing central agencies’.

"The way they are misusing central agencies, including ED, is an indication that the democracy is in danger. Our fight is to save the nation. Today, if they would have been in our place, they would have indulged in arson," he claimed.

Sonia Gandhi has been summoned to the ED office at around the same time.

The Congress - which has already furiously protested summons to MP Rahul Gandhi, including burning tyres and jostling with police on the streets of central Delhi - has planned another massive agitation against 'vendetta politics'.

READ | ‘Sinister strategy’ - Cong to protest Sonia Gandhi’s questioning

Delhi Police have made elaborate arrangements and also barricaded Akbar Road - where the Congress HQ is located - inviting more criticism.

READ | Expected highhandedness: Congress on police barricades

Authorities also issued an advisory after traffic on major roads were diverted due to the barricades.

The ED had summoned Sonia Gandhi on June 8 and then June 21, but the Congress chief was unable to comply because she had tested positive for Covid and was admitted to hospital.

Last month the ED questioned Rahul Gandhi - a total of more than 50 hours over five days in connection with the National Herald case while protests raged in Delhi and other cities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.