Why Are Congress MPs Protesting on Parliament Grounds Over the National Herald Case?
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Synopsis
Congress MPs took to the Parliament premises to protest against the Centre, celebrating a recent court ruling that offered relief to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. This demonstration highlights ongoing tensions between the opposition and the government, raising questions about the integrity of investigative agencies in political matters.
Key Takeaways
- Congress MPs protested in Parliament against the government's actions.
- A Delhi court's ruling provided relief to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
- The court dismissed the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering complaint.
- Protesters accused the government of political vendetta.
- Key Congress leaders participated in the demonstration.
New Delhi, Dec 17 (NationPress) Congress party leaders organized a demonstration within the Parliament House complex on Wednesday, expressing their discontent with the Central government following a Delhi court's decision to grant relief to senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. This protest was triggered by the court's refusal to acknowledge the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering allegations.
Congress MPs characterized the court's ruling as a vindication of their stance, asserting that it confirmed the ultimate triumph of truth. They accused the Central government of exploiting investigative bodies, especially the Enforcement Directorate, to politically target opposition figures.
Holding placards and a banner that read “Satyamev Jayate, Truth Prevails,” the protesting MPs gathered on the steps of Makar Dwar inside the Parliament. They voiced slogans against the Modi government and demanded an apology from the Centre, claiming that the case stemmed from political vendetta rather than legal grounds.
Prominent leaders present at the protest included Congress general secretary (organization) K.C. Venugopal, AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik, and party MPs Shashi Tharoor, Tariq Anwar, Kumari Selja, K. Suresh, and Manickam Tagore, among others.
The MPs argued that the latest court ruling unveiled what they termed as the government's attempts to intimidate opposition leaders through central agencies. They reiterated their faith in the judiciary and their commitment to challenge what they consider the misuse of power by the ruling party.
On Tuesday, in a significant relief for Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, a Delhi court dismissed the Enforcement Directorate's prosecution complaint regarding the alleged National Herald money laundering case.
Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court ruled that the complaint filed by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was not maintainable.
In addition to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, the federal anti-money laundering agency had named Congress Overseas chief Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, Sunil Bhandari, Young Indian, and Dotex Merchandise Private Limited as proposed defendants in the case.
While rejecting the prosecution complaint, the court specified that the ED is permitted to continue its investigation as per the law.
The high-profile case relates to allegations that senior Congress officials colluded to unlawfully seize control of assets valued at over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the original publisher of the National Herald newspaper, by making a nominal payment of Rs 50 lakh through Young Indian -- a company where Sonia and Rahul Gandhi hold majority stakes.
Congress leaders expressed their satisfaction with the Delhi court's dismissal of the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering complaint against Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, branding the investigation as politically motivated. A special press briefing was convened in New Delhi featuring party president Mallikarjun Kharge along with senior leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi and K.C. Venugopal in attendance.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize the delicate balance between political dissent and the role of the judiciary. The ongoing protest by Congress MPs, sparked by a court ruling in favor of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, underscores a critical moment in Indian politics, where the opposition voices concerns over the perceived misuse of power by the ruling government. This situation calls for a careful examination of the intersection between political accountability and legal processes.
NationPress
19/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the Congress MPs to protest?
The Congress MPs protested following a Delhi court's decision that provided relief to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, which they viewed as a vindication of their stance against the government's alleged misuse of investigative agencies.
What are the key allegations in the National Herald case?
The National Herald case involves allegations that top Congress leaders conspired to wrongfully acquire control of assets valued over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Ltd through dubious financial transactions.
What was the court's ruling regarding the Enforcement Directorate's complaint?
The court ruled that the Enforcement Directorate's prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was not maintainable, allowing the accused to claim relief from the charges.
Who are some of the prominent leaders present at the protest?
Prominent leaders included Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal, AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik, and party MPs Shashi Tharoor, Tariq Anwar, Kumari Selja, K. Suresh, and Manickam Tagore.
What message did the protesting MPs convey?
The protesting MPs conveyed that the court's ruling reaffirmed their belief in truth and justice, while accusing the government of political vendetta against opposition leaders.
