Sonia Gandhi appears before ED in National Herald money laundering case; Congress stages nationwide protests

Congress President Sonia Gandhi arrives to appear before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in connection with the National Herald case. She is accompnied by Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi to the ED office.  

Anticipating the protests over the questioning of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi by the ED and an increase in the number of kanwariyas passing through Delhi, the Police has said that the traffic may get affected in some parts of Delhi. 

According to a senior Delhi Police official, in view of the ongoing Parliament session, adequate security and traffic arrangements have been made to deal with any "contagious situation" which may arise due to the protests over the Congress chief's questioning.

Meanwhile, some roads near the Congress office have already been barricaded by police in anticipation of the protests on Thursday, sources in the Delhi Police said.

Congress also slammed the agency's action against its top leadership and called it a "political vendetta".

Congress leader Sachin Pilot told reporters outside the AICC office that the ED action was a "blatant misuse of probe agencies and this has to stop...They cannot muzzle opposition's voice."

Protesting in Pune, former state minister Satej Patil said, "The BJP government is functioning as if they do not wish to follow the Constitution. They have taken a stand of finishing the opposition and we condemn such an act."

The Congress MPs also held protest march at Parliament House complex to express their solidarity with the party Chief Sonia Gandhi. 

A number of party supporters protesting against the treatment meted to their party leader were rounded up by the police and paramilitary personnel from outside the ED and Congress office and bundled into buses.

The Congress chief is deposing on the third summons as she sought exemption on earlier dates of June 8 and June 23 owing to coronavirus infection. Her statement is being recorded by the agency under criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and it will be also be taped in an audio-video mode.

Meanwhile, Police have advised commuters to avoid Motilal Nehru Marg, Akbar Road, Janpath and Man Singh Road between 9 am and 2 pm on Thursday.

Due to special arrangements, traffic movement will not be allowed on these roads, they said.

Police also said that due to the arrangements, movement of buses will be restricted in some parts of central Delhi on Thursday.

Traffic is likely to be affected on some roads in east and outer Delhi, police said, adding that adequate arrangements have been made to avoid jams.

A total of 1,925 police personnel have been deployed for traffic regulation and more than 56 cranes and motorcycles are also present on the route which the kanwariyas will be taking, according to officials.

Commuters or kanwar yatris needing any assistance can check the Delhi Traffic Police Facebook page or Twitter handle for updates or call on 8750871493 and helpline number 1095/011-25844444 for queries, it said.