National Herald Case: Congress will never bow down, says Rahul Gandhi

After a 10-minute hearing, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son, Rahul, were today granted unconditional bail in the high-voltage National Herald case by a local court, which said that offences alleged against them were not of “serious magnitude” at this stage and there was no apprehension that they would flee. “We are thankful that the court rejected Swamy’s request”.

The accused face allegations that they illegally acquired property worth Rs. 5,000 crore belonging to the National Herald newspaper.

The court will next hear the case on February 20.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took surety for Rahul Gandhi and AK Antony took surety for Sonia Gandhi.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who has filed the case, argued that the court should impose restrictions on the Gandhis’ travel, but the judge did not agree. Our fight will continue.

” Today we did what any law-abiding citizen should do”. The legal guidelines of the nation are relevant to all with none distinction and discrimination. “I do not have the slightest doubt that the truth shall prevail in this matter”, she said. It is using government agency for this. But we aren’t going to be afraid by them.

The Congress strategy, however, has been to accuse the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had promised a “Gandhi-free India”, of political vendetta.

Neither Sonia nor Rahul took questions from the media. We will give a determined fight.

They are given certain exemptions and benefits. “They will go to jail”, Swamy told reporters outside Patiala House Court.

The relief to the top Congress leadership came at the end of a feverish Saturday, which saw the party and the BJP trade charges against each other. The country has never seen this kind of politics.

“I also want to say that we will continue to fight for the rights of the poor and the weaker sections”.

Asked if the case will again result in disruption of Parliament’s proceedings from Monday, the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs expressed confidence of it running smoothly, saying all parties had given assurance in this regard in the all party meet held yesterday.

This is the first time that Mrs Gandhi and her son have been charged over impropriety or corruption although several graft scandals had surfaced during the last government run by the Congress, which was ousted from power previous year.

He said, it was the outcome of the dictatorial mindset of the party which has been openly claiming to finish not only the Congress but entire opposition.

They also slammed the recent raid of CBI on Delhi government Principle Secretary’s office and said that this is a sign of BJP’s frustration and nothing else. “Their arrogance will hurt them”, Naqvi said in a sharp attack.

He (Swamy) has been placed under Z-category and allotted a government bungalow.