It’s that day the Congress leadership hoped they would never have to face. For the first time ever, party president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul will appear in court, in connection with the National Herald rip-off. Here’s what could happen.
The BJP on Saturday lashed out at the Congress for levelling ‘baseless allegation’ against the NDA Government with regard to the National Herald case.
It said that the case is a completely legal affair and added that the court has taken cognisance of prima facie breach of trust before the Modi Government came to power.
“The allegation of political vendetta is completely a baseless allegation. Here in this case no body, neither the RSS, nor the BJP has got anything to do. The court has taken the cognisance, and this was taken before Modi Government came to power that this is matter of prima facie breach of trust,” Telecom Minster Ravi Shankar Prasad told ANI. Read more HERE.
In the backdrop of National Herald case, Congress today launched a no-holds barred attack against government, accusing it of resorting to "unprecedented" level of vendetta politics and targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the petitioner Subramanian Swamy was his "mask".
Just before Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi were to appear before a court here, a host of party leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, Anand Sharma and Randeep Singh Surjewala, addressed the media to attack the NDA government, particularly Modi.
Azad said Congress was not afraid of "targeting" by the Modi dispensation and asserted that the more the party is attacked, the sooner it will return to power. "The BJP government is resorting to unprecedented level of vendetta politics. The country has never seen this kind of politics. We will fight out the battle," said the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. Read more HERE.
The case
The trial court issued summons to Sonia and Rahul on a private criminal complaint of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who alleged conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust and misappropriation of National Herald property Court told their counsel on Dec 8 not to seek further exemption from appearance for their clients; asked them to appear in court at 3 pm on Dec 19.
| We are open to availing all legal remedies and options including bail. — Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress spokesperson. |
No show of strength
Sonia, Rahul will present themselves before the trial court of Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen at Patiala House complex as humble, law-abiding citizens
Don’t want a show of strength before the court. PCC chiefs, CLP leaders told not congregate in Delhi
Will fight case and Modi govt politically, but must show restraint since it is a court issue, says party
Cong calls it extraordinary times, claims it has full faith in the majesty of justice
MPs asked to gather at party HQ on Saturday ahead of the court appearance as a sign of solidarity
Swamy Gets Government House for His Safety The BJP-led Central government has decided to allot a house to Subramanian Swamy, who is the complainant in the National Herald case in which Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi are expected to appear in court on Saturday. |
Tight security
Multi-tier security cover at Patiala House District Court premises
Shops inside the premises will remain closed on Saturday
Area near Gate No 2, where the courtroom in which the hearing is scheduled is located, to be cordoned off
16 more CCTV cameras installed