Cong leader issues notices to Shah, Sitharaman, Rijiju citing 'political vendetta'

New Delhi, June 15 (IANS) Congress leader and senior lawyer Vivek Tankha on Wednesday issued notices to Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Law Minister Kiren Rijiju for using the Enforcement Directorate as a 'tool of political vendetta,' amid the ongoing interrogation of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by the probe agency for the third consecutive day.

In the notices issued on behalf of the legal cell of the All India Congress Committee, Tankha urged the government to desist from illegal disclosure of information by the ED pertaining to Rahul Gandhi.

"The Indian National Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi will never bow down to this kind of abuse of process and threats and will fight to protect the constitution and the freedom enshrined in it till the last breath," read the notice.

The notice contended that the case that has been foisted is utterly hopeless and has no basis in law.

It stated that the ongoing probe in connection with the Associated Journals Ltd. began in 2013/14 on a complaint by Subramanian Swamy, a person well known for his animosity towards the Gandhis.

"It is shocking that a case of money laundering is being probed where no transfer of money or assets is involved," it said.

It stated that there is no allegation that money has either been laundered or that proceeds of crime exist. No predicate offence has been made out either. The reality is that the government changed the head of the ED in 2015 precisely because the view within the agency was that there is no case of money laundering and that the case ought to be closed.

Emphasizing the cooperation from Rahul Gandhi in the matter, the notice alleged that some media outlets broadcast news against him saying, "Rahul Gandhi not cooperating with the ED."

The media publishes statements that outrightly hold the suspect or the accused guilty even before such an order has been passed by the court, it said.

It said the ED and the Government should stop this charade and sham investigation and in the meantime cease and desist from leaking false information to media houses selectively.

The notice added that three notices were issued to ensure the ED should immediately stop spreading false narratives about Rahul Gandhi for ulterior political motives, and as a tool to settle political scores.