Sonia, Rahul get bail in Herald case amid high political drama

The Congress Party on Saturday said that path of truth is always the correct path and the grand old party along with its leaders (Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi) has always walked the path of truth.

Calling Swamy a “mask” for Modi, he said the BJP functionary has been awarded with a bungalow for dragging Congress leadership to court even though he was not a Parliamentarian or government official.

“Bail was granted, the matter stands adjourned until February 20”, defense lawyer R.S. Cheema, who was inside the courtroom, said.

Subramanian Swamy also demanded bailable warrant against Sam Pitroda for non appearance and also opposed bail for the Gandhis.

Congress workers had been thronging the party’s central office on 24, Akbar Road since morning to express solidarity with the leaders. “I want to tell everyone I – and the Congress party – will not bend, we will fight”, said Mr Gandhi yesterday. Congress leader A K Anthony stood surety for Sonia Gandhi while Rahul’s surety was provided by sister Priyanka.

A ring of senior Congress leaders, including former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Delhi ex-CM Sheila Dikshit accompanied Sonia and Rahul to Patiala court.

On Saturday morning Patiala House Courts Complex virtually transformed into a fortress with paramilitary forces and sniffer dogs all around. He said, Congress is committed to safeguard the legacy inherited from its great leaders at any cost and the BJP will never succeed in its disinformation campaign it has launched against the Congress and its leaders.

Congress party leaders have since brought India’s parliament to a halt with frequent protests over the case, preventing the passage of an important tax reform. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others will be sent to prison. “We would not sit idle and let them get away with their dark deeds”, he said.

On December 7 the Delhi High Court turned down a plea by the Gandhis to quash the latest summons and exempt them from appearing in person.

Sonia said she appeared in the court with pure heart as any law abiding citizen should do. “Modiji levels false allegations against and thinks that the Opposition would bow down before him”, he said. “After the mining scam came into light in Rajasthan cases were lodged against the Rajasthan PCC chief Sachin Pilot and former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot by way of vendetta politics”.

The legal battle has sown further bitterness between the Congress party and Modi, who had vowed a “Congress-free India” before he crushed the Gandhis in an election a year ago.

Earlier, Azad accused Modi of backing Swamy in his complaint, while party colleague Randeep Singh Surjewala termed Swamy “a stooge” of Modi. “Corruption is yours. The BJP has nothing to do with all this”, union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told the media here.

The BJP rejects any suggestion it is involved in the case, saying Swamy acted alone and stressing the court s independence.