Congress president Sonia Gandhi reached the Enforcement Directorate office in New Delhi a little after noon for interrogation in the National Herald money laundering case, media reports said.

She left for lunch after two-and-a-half hours of questioning. She was escorted by her Z+ category CRPF security cover to the probe agency’s office and was accompanied by her children and senior Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandi.

Sonia Gandhi, 75, had requested a later date for questioning as she was diagnosed with Covid-19. The Congress chief appeared after the third summon after being exempted on earlier dates of June 8 and June 23.

Meanwhile, Congress on Thursday accused the Modi government of unleashing federal probe agencies on the opposition and using them to score in their vendetta against the opposition terming the situation “dangerous” for democracy.

Addressing a press conference, senior Congress leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, “The way the BJP government is ‘misusing’ the central probe agencies is a dangerous trend.

“The government is lowering the credibility of the ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by pressuring them (officers). It is an attack on the Constitution of India.”

“Rattled by the Congress’ Udaipur Declaration, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah unleashed ED against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in a false case. I condemn the questioning of Sonia Gandhiji.

“Why are they attacking the Gandhi family who sacrificed so much for the country? This family has the highest credibility even after 75 years,” Gehlot said over questioning of party chief Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald case.

“ED has become a ‘tool’ to topple elected governments,” he alleged.

Dismissing Congress’s allegations, the BJP termed the Congress’ protests as its “duragrah” (obstinate demand) for protecting the Gandhi family.

“The Congress has become a pocket organisation of a family, and now its assets are also being pocketed by the family,” BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged, attacking the Gandhis. Both are out on bail in the case, he told reporters.

Sonia Gandhi’s interrogation is being carried out by five officers led by a woman Additional Director, according to NDTV.

Congress chief would be allowed to rest if she gets tired during her questioning, the report added citing sources.