"Summoned In Middle Of Parliament Session": Congress's M Kharge Hits Out Over Action In National Herald Case

Mallikarjun Kharge summoned as he wasn't present for ED search at offices of Young Indian, firm linked to National Herald case, which were then sealed

"How can they summon me when Parliament is in session?" asked Congress's Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rajya Sabha today, as the Enforcement Directorate has asked him to appear before it in a money laundering case linked to the news outlet National Herald. Party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have already been questioned in the case over alleged evasion of tax.

The agency yesterday sealed the offices of Young Indian Limited -- the firm that owns Associated Journals, which runs the outlet -- at Herald House in Delhi. Mallikarjun Kharge is the authorised representative for the company, and the sealing had to be done as he wasn't there, said ED officials. It'll be lifted once he presents himself for concluding the search, they told NDTV.

But Mr Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, questioned the timing. "I have to appear (before the ED) at 12.30pm. I want to follow the law. But is it appropriate to summon me at this time, in the middle of the Parliament session?" he said in the House this morning.

"Yesterday, police surrounded the houses of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Will democracy remain alive in such a situation? Will we be able to work as per the Constitution? We will not be afraid. We will fight this," Mr Kharge added.