The Congress on Sunday fumed at the Delhi Police action against Rahul Gandhi and called it as the worst case of "political vendetta" and “harassment”. While addressing a joint press conference at AICC headquarters in Delhi, Ashok Gehlot, Jairam Ramesh and Abhishek Singhvi criticised the Centre for attempting to intimidate Rahul Gandhi.
They also said that the Centre was setting a wrong precedent by registering such cases against political opponents.
The move was a clear case of “vendetta, intimidation and harassment”, they added.
By registering cases on statements made by opposition leaders made during political campaigns the central dispensation was setting a bad example, said Ashok Gehlot.
Gehlot, who arrived at Rahul's residence, also said that it is impossible to believe that without direction of the ruling government the Delhi Police can take such actions.
He also added that the police went to his residence despite Rahul assuring that he will respond to the notice in 8-10 days.
If union ministers make similar comments in opposition-ruled states during elections, they may face the same action as done by the Delhi Police, he added.
Delhi police officials reached Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's residence on Sunday relating to his "women are still being sexually assaulted" remark during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar.
The police had issued a notice to the Congress leader on March 16 asking him for details of the women who approached him during the Yatra regarding sexual harassment.
“We've come here to talk to him. Rahul Gandhi gave a statement in Srinagar on Jan 30 that during Yatra he met several women and they told him that they had been raped...We're trying to get details from him so that justice can be given to victims,” said Special CP (Law and Order) Sagar Preet Hooda.
Meanwhile, Singhvi said that the statements in question were made by Gandhi in Srinagar on January 30 and thus the same does not fall under the Delhi Police jurisdiction.
Singhvi also said that why the city police is showing so much interest after 45 days of the remarks.
Also, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that the move by the police was to divert the attention from the Adani issue. “It is to divert from the Adani issue, they (BJP) are asking all these questions by sending the police. Rahul Gandhi and Congress will not get scared. No matter how much they try to save Adani, we will continue to question them,” Kharge was quoted by ANI.