Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday appeared before a trial court which granted them bail in the National Herald case.
Advertisement
The Gandhis were summoned by the court after a politician from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed a private criminal complaint accusing them of misappropriating assets of the now-defunct National Herald.
While former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh filed the bail bond on behalf of Sonia, her daughter Priyanka Vadra did the same for brother Rahul. Swamy suggested that the passports of the accused should be impounded but the court ignored his request. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for 20th February, 2016. They had to navigate through jostling lawyers, journalists, security men and party workers to reach their cars. “Our struggle for Congress policies and in the interest of the poor will continue”, said Sonia. “It seemed that they were not accused in a case of corruption but some great freedom fighters who have hit the road”, he said.
Resonating similar sentiments, another NCP leader Tariq Anwar said, “Sonia ji has made a decision to be present in the court”.
The Gandhis’ legal team figured that “it will serve no purpose” if they don’t seek bail because the case is “politically motivated”, media reported. Sources said the Singh-headed panel took the decision in view of Swamy being a “Z”-category protectee with CRPF cover. What happened now”, he told reporters after the short hearing”. AICC has dismissed reports that the Congress has called its state leaders to Delhi when the Gandhis will appear before the court.
The BJP has rejected any allegations of wrongdoing, saying the case was brought in 2012, a year before Swamy joined the BJP.
“I have so many friends in BJP”. I am a Jan Sanghi. In deference and great respect to the court, we all appeared through counsel and each of the accused appeared except accused number six Sam Pitroda who has a medical problem. Meanwhile, complainant Subramanian Swamy clarified that he did not oppose the move for bail during Saturday’s proceeduings.
A smiling Sonia followed closely by Rahul emerged out of the court after 15 minutes of proceedings. On Monday this week, the high court refused to stay the summons, and asked all of the accused to appear for a hearing for today.
The National Herald, which ceased publication in 2008, was acquired by Congress in 2010.
Advertisement
According to Swamy’s petition, the Congress granted a loan of Rs 90.25 crore to Associated Journals Limited (AJL) – the company that owned the National Herald newspaper.
