National Herald Case, Rahul to appear before ED

All the roads leading to the Enforcement Directorate office in central Delhi have been heavily barricaded by the security personnel and police officials, after denying the permission to protest and march with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is to appear before ED in connection with The National Herald, money laundering case.

Congress leaders have shown massive support and planned a protest and also stage a "satyagraha" against what the party termed "misuse" of the ED by the Centre. However, the Delhi police have denied permission for the same. They also imposed provisions of Section 144 CrPC to prohibit assembly and entry of people on roads leading to the ED headquarters in Pravaratan.

As Congress workers and senior party members stepped out of the AICC office and started sloganeering, the Delhi Police detained around 13-15 people, including women.

Officials said the arrangements were made to ensure that the law and order are maintained.

Congress leaders like Sachin Pilot in Lucknow, Vivek Tankha in Raipur, Digvijaya Singh in Bhopal, Sanjay Nirupam in Shimla, Ranjeet Ranjan in Chandigarh, Pawan Khera in Ahmedabad, and Alka Lamba conveyed their support to the leader.

Telangana Congress Committee TPCC chief A. Revanth Reddy also extended his support, by announcing the demonstration of a protest, where cong. leaders would conduct 'padayatra' from the Peddamma Talli temple to the ED office in Hyderabad.

Due to the protest demonstration call given by the Congress party, Hyderabad cops issued a notice of severe traffic congestion between 11 am to 3 pm along the route.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi will be questioned by the ED. Congress President Sonia Gandhi who is currently being treated for Covid-19 is also expected to be questioned by ED on June 23.