Youth Congress workers protest outside Sushma's residence

The Youth Congress on Monday protested near union Minister Sushma Swaraj's residence over allegations that she facilitated former Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi's travel to Portugal for his wife's treatment last year.

The demonstration was staged near the external affairs minister's Safdarjung Lane residence, as security personnel had put up barricades on the road leading to her house. She was not at home at the time.

Holding placards and banners criticising Sushma Swaraj, the demonstrators raised slogans demanding her resignation. Some of the protesters climbed atop the barricades.

"The way Sushma Swaraj has gone about the issue is not in national interest. Her excuses are totally bogus and not standing scrutiny of facts," Congress leader P. L. Punia said earlier Monday.

The controversy erupted after Britain's Sunday Times reported an e-mail exchange between influential Labour MP Keith Vaz and head of UK Visas and Immigration Sarah Rapson, citing Sushma Swaraj, to facilitate travel documents for Lalit Modi.

Swaraj on Sunday said she helped Modi on "humanitarian grounds" to meet his wife.