National Herald Case: Innocent Until Found Guilty, Says NCP

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi will appear in a trial court in Delhi on 19 December for the National Herald case.

They have been accused of trying to illegally acquire real estate worth thousands of crores belonging to the now defunct newspaper National Herald.

Before the appearance in court at 3pm, key Congresspersons – MPs and CWC members – will gather at the Akbar Road headquarters in solidarity.

The court has summoned the Gandhis and others on prima facie charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and dishonest misappropriation of property under relevant sections of the law.

Mr Singhvi, who is also a party spokesman, said, “We have been scrupulously avoiding all hype or hoopla about this as far as the courts are concerned”.

They were of the view that Congress would come out clean in the National Herald Case and that they were waiting for the next order of their party supremo.

Party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said all legal options were open to the party, including applying for bail.

The National Herald newspaper was closely associated with India’s freedom struggle and the Indian National Congress till 2008. Before its closure, the paper was being run by Associated Journals Limited (AJL). However, the BJP party said that the case was filed by Subramanian Swamy before he joined the party and that the party has nothing to do with the legal proceedings. The trial court then issued summons to the two leaders among others in June 2014, but they approached the Delhi High Court seeking a stay.

16 additional CCTV cameras have been installed outside the court. There were also reports that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi may not seek bail though party leaders gave firm indications that bail will be sought. According to the sources, the area around the court where the hearing is scheduled will be cordoned off with a multi-layered security cover.