Rahul Gandhi’s next appearance before ED on June 20

Rahul Gandhi, who was supposed to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday for questioning in connection with the National Herald case, will now appear before the agency on Monday. Sources said Rahul sought exemption from appearance on Friday and it was accepted by the agency.

Rahul was questioned by the ED for three straight days since Monday. He first sought exemption from appearance on Thursday, following which he was called on Friday. Sources said Rahul is being questioned about the ownership of Young Indian (YI) by the Gandhi family and its shareholding in Associate Journals Limited (AJL), the company that runs the National Herald newspaper. He is being questioned about the circumstances under which the AJL was acquired by Young Indian in 2010 for a “pittance”, making it in turn the owner of all assets owned by the National Herald newspaper.

Rahul’s mother Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to appear before the ED later this month. Rahul had earlier been called for questioning on June 2, while Sonia was asked to appear on June 8. Both had, however, sought more time from the agency.

The ED case is based on a trial court order that allowed the Income Tax Department to probe the affairs of the National Herald newspaper and conduct a tax assessment of Sonia and Rahul. The order was the result of a petition filed by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in 2013.