ED sticks to summons, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar to appear before agency today

“I had requested time to appear citing the responsibilities I have during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra passing through Karnataka. They denied it and insisted that we appear (on October 7),” Shivakumar said, accusing the BJP-led Centre of misusing agencies to harass him.

“Generally they used to honour such requests. I don’t know why they are not doing it now,” Shivakumar said.

“Kuldeep Singh is the officer who has summoned us. He is the officer investigating the Young India and National Herald case,” he said.

The case relates to alleged financial irregularities committed by Young India Ltd while taking over the assets of National Herald.

Earlier this week, Shivakumar said he would write to the ED requesting it to provide him and Suresh with another date to appear.

The summons coincided with Rahul Gandhi’s stay at Adichunchanagiri mutt – a powerful mutt of the Vokkaliga community – near Nagamangala in Mandya district. “I request them to give us another date to appear since it is our mutt and it will be wrong if I am not present,” Shivakumar, who hails from the Vokkaliga community, had said.

All Indian Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, reacting to ED summons, said: “There is madness in the methods of the BJP. They are panic-stricken and scared by the overwhelming response to Bharat Jodo Yatra,” he said, adding that the writing on the wall is clear and it points to the BJP’s defeat in the next election.

“They can summon him (Shivakumar) 500 times more. We are not scared and will give a befitting reply,” he added.