Mir said the case had been dismissed by the court on several occasions and the BJP leadership was trying to frame the Congress leaders as part of its political vendetta.
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Ridiculing the BJP claims that it had nothing to do with the case, he asked, what is the locus standi of the senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in approaching the court and seeking criminal proceedings against the Congress leaders.
“Today, we appeared before the court, with a clear conscience, like any law-abiding citizen of the country should”, Ms. Gandhi told journalists at the party headquarters, flanked by Mr. Gandhi, Dr. Singh and other senior leaders.
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi made a political point as they arrived in court today, choosing not to use a special gate set aside for their cars to drive in.
The Gandhis, accused of illegally acquiring the assets of the parent company of the National Herald, a daily once run by their family, used the moment to push their members to hype their initial charge that the allegations were nothing but vendetta against them by the BJP. Sonia Gandhi said she had confidence in the country’s judiciary and had no doubt that the truth will prevail.
Mr. Gandhi also began by saying that he and the Congress party respected the law. Referring to the case filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, Sonia Gandhi said that she was totally aware of the intention of the people behind the case.
After proceedings of 20 minutes, the bail was granted on a personal bond of INR 50,000 each, says lawyer.
The National Herald newspaper, founded by Jawaharlal Nehru, was closely associated with India’s freedom struggle and the Indian National Congress until 2008. Modiji is making a false allegation and thinks the opposition will bend.
“The way the Modi government is targeting leaders of opposition we will fight inside and outside the parliament”, he added. “And it is using government agencies to do that”.
Much before their arrival, occasional murmurs that “they” had reached made the rounds every few minutes, throwing the battery of reporters into a tizzy.
“Ms. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will be sentenced to serve prison time”, he said.
Modi’s top aides have denied any involvement in the case.
Security was exceptionally tight, with hundreds of police and paramilitary troops swarming the court premises.
“They are attacking a Prime Minister who is taking all measures to fight corruption”. There is also the general impression that the Prime Minister is firing from the shoulders of a party colleague. His father was former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated by a suicide bomber in 1991.
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The Italian-born Sonia Gandhi has led the party since 1998. However, the court said, The accused are reputed persons having deep political roots and there is no apprehension that they will flee..
