India’s Sonia and Rahul Gandhi face corruption charges

Relieved with the bail granted in the National Herald case, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday asserted that the NDA led-Central Government is utilizing the central businesses in attacking the grand previous party in a improper method. Bail was granted on Rs.50,000 personal bond and one surety each. “We condemn the vindictive attitude of the Narendra Modi Government towards Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi”, said Bagarti. Addressing the media, Sonia Gandhi said that the government won’t be able to destroy the Congress and added that the latter will try their best to bring the truth out.

“When our (BJP) government came, they said this is injustice and again provided me the security that had been given to me during Rao’s tenure”, he said.

Senior Congress leaders Manmohan Singh, Sheila Dikshit, Ambika Soni, Meira Kumar, Kumari Sheilja, Motilal Vohra and Oscar Fernanddes had been in the court room.

The hearing lasted only for a few minutes and the court scheduled the next hearing for February 2. The Gandhis were speaking after they were granted bail in the case based on a private criminal complaint lodged by Swamy against them of cheating, conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.

During the hearing, Sibal, Singhvi and other lawyers, who appeared for the accused, argued there was no apprehension that any of their clients would flee from the country as they have appeared before the court on the first date itself. He pointed out how BJP leaders have been saying that they want a “Congress-mukt” India (an India rid of Congress).

Swamy has accused them of cheating and misappropriation of funds in acquiring ownership of the now-defunct daily National Herald.

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.

Dattaraya said Subramanian Swamy had filed the case in National Herald issue to protect the interest of its share holders and the BJP had no personal interest in the case. The Congress, however, was determined to make this legal battle look like a political witch-hunt.

In December 2010, Rahul Gandhi was appointed its director and in January 2011, Sonia Gandhi also joined the board as a director.

It followed a tumultuous week in Indian politics which saw members of the embattled Congress and their allies throw parliament into chaos several times in protest at the case. They later expressed their joy at the two top party leaders getting bail.

The Congress, which had earlier said that it would not stage a show of strength on the day party chief Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi would appear in the trial court, behaved as if it had scored a major political win and mobilised workers outside its headquarters.