Funds raised for Covid support used with sole aim of helping people: Rana Ayyub

Journalist Rana Ayyub has said funds raised by her for Covid support were used with the sole aim of helping people in dire need and called the Enforcement Directorate ED chargesheet yet another desperate attempt to target and intimidate herThe ED has filed a chargesheet against Ayyub under the antimoney laundering law alleging that she utilised publicly raised funds of Rs 269 crore for herself and also contravened the foreign contribution lawThe federal agency filed its prosecution complaint against Ayyub before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA court in Ghaziabad Uttar Pradesh on October 12Also readED files charge sheet against Rana Ayyub says she used public funds for herselfCalling herself a voice that questions and critiques the ruling regime Ayyub said this abuse of process by the ED will not withstand judicial scrutinyAyyub who is currently in the US said the funds raised by her for Covid support were used with the sole aim of helping people in dire needI am happy that many families ravaged by Covid received support she saidIn a statement posted on Twitter she said it is noteworthy that the ED had provisionally attached her bank account funds including her professional income but the attachment proceedings were stayed by the Delhi High Court and the attachment of funds has not been confirmedThe chargesheet filed by the ED is yet another desperate attempt to target and intimidate me for my work and yet another example of the abuse of PMLA law and misuse of law enforcement agencies to silence me a voice that questions and critiques the ruling regime I am confident that this abuse of process by the ED will not withstand judicial scrutiny I too will not be deterred from performing my role as a journalist she saidAlong with the statement Ayyub tweeted My pen can never be silenced Ironic that I conducted a seminar yesterday here in the US on the attack on free press in India I will continue to raise my voice against the persecution of the marginalised in the countryThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever