New Delhi, Dec 17: The Congress on Wednesday intensified its attack on the Modi government, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah a day after a Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering charge in the National Herald case.
The opposition party said the ruling vindicated its claim that investigative agencies were being used to target its leadership.
“We will fight them both inside and outside Parliament and teach them a lesson,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said while addressing a press conference.
A special court on Tuesday declined to take cognisance of the ED’s prosecution complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others, ruling that the agency’s probe was based on a private complaint rather than an FIR involving a scheduled offence.
“After this judgment, Modi and Shah should resign,” Kharge said. “If they think people will tolerate this kind of harassment, they are mistaken.”
Kharge said the Congress had taken to the streets whenever its leaders were summoned by investigative agencies and would continue to mobilise politically. “The Congress cadre is agitated and will show its strength across India,” he said.
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the party would expose the “politics of revenge” behind the case, while Abhishek Singhvi said the ruling demonstrated that the National Herald matter was driven by political motives. “This is a story of vendetta and harassment,” Singhvi said.
In his order, Special Judge Vishal Gogne said taking cognisance of the ED’s complaint was not permissible under law. The court said it would be imprudent to rule on the merits of the allegations when cognisance itself was liable to be declined.
The ED has alleged that Congress leaders, through the company Young Indian, acquired assets of Associated Journals Limited worth about Rs 2,000 crore. Agency officials said they may appeal the order after consulting law officers.
Reacting sharply, the BJP accused the Congress of spreading misinformation. Party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the ruling was being misrepresented. “The court did not quash the case. It only declined cognisance on technical grounds,” he said.
“The investigation can continue, and the trial is still pending before the Delhi High Court,” Bhatia said, adding that the Gandhis continue to face charges in the case.
He accused the Congress of running a propaganda campaign to divert attention from the legal process.
Read more: ED Case Against Gandhis Rejected by Delhi Court
