Meanwhile, the ruling BJP said corruption was synonymous with the Congress party, whether in power or otherwise. They have been granted bail on personal surety of Rs 50,000 each.
Advertisement
Subramanian Swamy additionally demanded bailable warrant towards Sam Pitroda for non look and in addition opposed bail for the Gandhis. “By doing this they tried to show the people accused in corruption cases as patriotic”. Former Defence Minister AK Anthony stood surety for Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra for her brother Rahul.
Senior Congress leader and former CLP leader in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Sunil Jakhar today said that the Bhartiya Janata Party government at the centre was resorting to political terrorism in an attempt to stifle the voice of dissent and the voice of opposition.
Speaking on the sideline of the protest, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said the party will happily accept the court’s verdict on the case. They had to navigate through jostling lawyers, journalists, security men and party workers to reach their cars.
The leaders, along with three others, Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes and Suman Dubey, appeared at the Patiala House court. “What happened now”, he told reporters after the short hearing.
“National Herald is yours”. They preferred to get off from their vehicles on the C-Hexagon road that encircles India Gate in New Delhi, and walked a few paces into the court premises.
“It is quite sad that Swamy said there should be restriction on travel”.
“I went (to court) with a clean heart like any law-abiding citizen”.
He said the Congress will continue to fight for the poor of the country.
“I have so many friends (in the BJP)”.
However, the Gandhis’ lawyer Kapil Sibal said they themselves did not seek exemption from personal appearance.
The BJP rejects any suggestion it is involved in the case, saying Swamy acted alone and stressing the court s independence. The Delhi High Court last week dismissed the plea of the Gandhis to quash the summons issued to them by the trial court on Swamy’s complaint.
In a flip flop of strategy, finally on Friday night, on legal advice, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, her son vice-president Rahul Gandhi and others chose to file the bail bonds. Mr Singh also clarified that the bail did not exempt them from subsequent court appearances.
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told the media that they believe the BJP-led government and Modi were behind Swamy’s complaint in court.
“Whether it is cheating, criminal misappropriation or criminal breach of trust is not required to be spelt out at this nascent stage”.
Advertisement
He said the next hearing into the case will be held on Feb 20.
