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Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar questioned by Enforcement Directorate

In September 2019, DK Shivakumar was sent to Tihar Jail in connection with a money-laundering case probed by the ED.

Published Sep 19, 2022 | 3:32 PM ⚊UpdatedSep 19, 2022 | 3:36 PM

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar was questioned by Enforcement Directorate officials in New Delhi. (Supplied)

DK Shivakumar, the president of the Karnataka unit of the Congress, appeared before Enforcement Directorate officials in New Delhi on Monday, 19 September.

Shivakumar, who had to skip the Assembly session that is currently underway in Karnataka, as well as preparatory meetings for the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra, arrived in New Delhi on Sunday evening to appear before the ED.

“He has been summoned over an additional FIR that the ED has filed in another case. There was no mention of the exact nature of the allegation in the summons, except that he must appear before investigating officials,” a close aide of Shivakumar told South First.

The ED is already investigating allegations of money laundering against Shivakumar. In September 2019, he was sent to Tihar Jail in connection with the case. He walked out weeks later when the Delhi High Court granted him conditional bail.

The fresh summons is said to be based on an additional case the ED has registered taking cognizance of a CBI case over allegations of disproportionate assets against Shivakumar.

The senior Congress leader and former minister was issued a fresh summons on 15 September, the timing of which he questioned.

In the midst of the #BharatJodoYatra and the assembly session, they have again issued me an ED summon to appear.

I am ready to cooperate but the timing of this summon and the harassment I am put through, is coming in the way of discharging my constitutional and political duties.

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) September 15, 2022

The ED summons came barely days ahead of the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra entering Karnataka — the third State along its route from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

“The ED harassment & persecution of DK Shivakumar is in stark contrast to the clean chit given by Modi Govt to its own “dented & tainted” 40% Commission Govt in Karnataka. Truth will prevail and this revengeful persecution by BJP’s ED won’t prevent a Congress victory in 2023, [sic]” said Randeep Singh Surjewala, AICC In charge of Karnataka, in a tweet on Monday.

The Congress in Karnataka, meanwhile, claimed the ED summons to Shivakumar were a means of attack on the party by the BJP, owing to the purported “success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra”.

Seeing the overwhelming public support for Congress & resounding response to preparation for #BharatJodoYatra , Modi Govt has brought the ED – the Election Deptt of BJP to target @DKShivakumar .

Such cowardly acts will strengthen our resolve to decimate the corrupt Bommai Govt! https://t.co/YspSq7gKl0

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) September 15, 2022

Operation Kichad in Goa yesterday Today ED summons to @DKShivakumar in Karnataka. MoSha getting desperate to derail #BharatJodoYatra that has evoked huge public interest & generated so much enthusiasm. But we will not be cowed down. Vendetta politics only strengthens our resolve!

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 15, 2022

Shivakumar in the past has claimed that he was targeted and sent to Tihar jail for “not joining the BJP”.

Congress leaders in Karnataka and across the nation staged protests over the alleged targeting of Opposition leaders by the BJP via Central agencies.

Shivakumar recently led the Congress protests in Karnataka over ED questioning of AICC interim president Sonia Gandhi and senior leader Rahul Gandhi.