• ED seals National Herald office, premises not to be opened without prior permission

    Politics
    ED seals National Herald office, premises not to be opened without prior permission

    The ED had allegedly turned into a "tool" in the hands of the Centre to "destroy" opposition parties, according to claims made by Congress earlier that day. 

    Digital Desk: In New Delhi's Herald House, which is controlled by Congress, the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday sealed the Young Indian (YI) offices and ordered that they not be opened without the agency's prior approval.

    Additionally, the Delhi Police increased security in front of Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Janpath residence. Senior police officers declined to comment on the situation, although police officers were stationed outside the Congress office on Akbar Road and streets were blocked off.

    According to the reports, Special Branch has informed the officials that AICC employees and members of the public may demonstrate outside the AICC headquarters and other locations. Moreover, barricades have been put up to prevent any adverse situations because Section 144 is in effect in the area.

    In connection with its investigation into money laundering in the National Herald case, the ED conducted search operations at Herald House in Delhi on Tuesday. Publisher of the National Herald daily Associate Journals Limited (AJL), whose acquisition by Young Indian, a company associated with the Gandhi family, is under investigation, has its registered office in Herald House.

    Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge referred to the ED's most recent action on Wednesday as a "tactic to intimidate people" after it was announced. "This is merely a frightening gimmick. But nobody will be alarmed. They will rebel, according to Kharge.

    The ED had allegedly turned into a "tool" in the hands of the Centre to "destroy" opposition parties, according to claims made by Congress earlier that day. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a leader for the Congress in the Lok Sabha, added that the party was not permitted to bring up the matter of alleged "misuse" of the ED in Parliament.