Congress worker Jagdish Sharma released by ED

Congress worker Jagdish Sharma, who was detained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) earlier this morning, has been released by the investigating agency on Saturday evening.

Sharma, who is believed to be a close aide of businessman Robert Vadra said, "The ED pressurising me to name Robert Vadra."

Earlier in the day, the ED conducted a raid at the residence of Sharma and took him to its office for questioning. Later, the agency detained him as he was not cooperating in the interrogation, sources in the investigating agency said on Saturday.

"Jagdish Sharma is not cooperating with ED officials. Currently, he is being questioned by ED in Jamnagar House. We would look for his arrest in case of non-cooperation," the ED sources said.

Sharma, while being taken to the ED office said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi government wants to "trap" Vadra. "Robert Vadra is being framed. Modi government wants to trap Robert Vadra. Searches are on at my residence. What will they get when there is nothing. They are taking me to ED office for questioning," Sharma told ANI.

On Friday, the ED conducted raids at the premises of some close associates of Vadra, son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for allegedly receiving money from defence suppliers, according to sources in the investigating agency. The raids were conducted at three places in Delhi and Bengaluru, the ED sources said.

While Vadra's advocate Suman Khaitan cried foul, the ED sources said the investigating agency has "evidence" that the persons being raided had received money in their bank accounts from defence suppliers.

Khaitan claimed that the ED officials raided "close associates" and business partners of Vadra without even showing any search warrants.