Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Sunday strongly criticized the central government for allegedly misusing investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to cripple the Congress party, calling it an “assault on democracy.” His remarks came in response to the ED’s recent move to issue possession notices for immovable assets worth ₹661 crore, attached in connection with a money laundering probe related to the National Herald case.
Addressing a press conference, Sibal accused the government of trying to “paralyse” the Congress by targeting its assets and offices. “They want to take over properties from which the Congress operates so that the party is unable to function. This is not just political vendetta, it’s an assault on the foundations of our democracy,” he said. He questioned the timing of the ED’s action, asking, “Why now, after 13 years? Clearly, it’s an attempt to grab property and shut down the opposition.”
The notices have been affixed to properties in Delhi’s Herald House, Mumbai’s Bandra East, and the AJL building in Lucknow, with directions to vacate the premises.
Sibal argued that the National Herald newspaper was established by freedom fighters to promote the values of unity and freedom, and the properties in question were meant for public service. He emphasized that Young Indian, a Section 25 (now Section 8) company which took over AJL’s liabilities, is a non-profit entity where shareholders like Sonia and Rahul Gandhi cannot gain personal profit or ownership.
He further accused the BJP-led government of shielding defectors while targeting the Congress. “Those with allegations of corruption join the BJP and suddenly the ED disappears,” Sibal said. He cited examples including Hemant Soren and P. Chidambaram, alleging selective targeting by agencies to damage reputations and destabilize opposition-led governments.
Sibal also warned that the government’s approach threatens press freedom and democratic functioning. “Today it’s Congress, tomorrow it could be the media. We are heading toward a system where democracy is professed, but dictatorship is practiced,” he said.
Once a Union Minister under the UPA regime, Sibal resigned from Congress in 2022 and now serves as an Independent Rajya Sabha MP with support from the Samajwadi Party.
