- LATEST
- WEBSTORY
- TRENDING
INDIA
National Herald case: Sonia, Rahul Gandhi immediately get bail; next hearing on February 20
Under the aegis of the Special Protection Group, the Delhi police have been conducting thorough security checks inside and outside the court premises.
Updated : Dec 19, 2015, 04:22 PM IST
 "Sonia and Rahul Gandhi")
TRENDING NOW
)
Redditors say Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan's separation is 'confirmed' after she is absent from Amitabh Bachchan's..
)
Sudhanshu Pandey makes big statement on Anupamaa co-actor Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter allegations: 'It's not good...'
)
Nagaland Sambad Lottery Result November 20: Dear Indus Wednesday lucky draw result TODAY, know how to check winner list
)
Shweta Tiwari's wedding photos with Bigg Boss 13 contestant Vishal Aditya Singh go viral, here's the truth behind them
)
Amid Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan's divorce rumours, actor reveals dinner table secret: 'Humare ghar mein koi..'
)
This Pakistani Influencer's private video leaked online, days after Minahil Malik and Insha Rehman's clips
)
Meet richest footballer of 2024, not Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, his net worth is...
)
Gautam Adani's BIG Rs 16877 crore plan to take on Mukesh Ambani, set to build Mumbai's largest...
)
'Good to be back': After breaking up with Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor reunites with his 'partner-in-crime after ages'
)
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan tells Amitabh Bachchan: 'I hope people don't...'
)
'Kash ye Aishwarya ke liye...': Amitabh Bachchan shares early review of 'pride' Abhishek Bachchan's film, netizens react
)
Virat Kohli's tweet mistaken for 'divorce announcement' from Anushka Sharma, fans compare to AR Rahman's separation post
)
Meet actress who worked as sweeper, did superhit film with Shah Rukh, took up acting after Madhuri Dixit..., earns Rs..
)
Samantha Ruth Prabhu shares inspirational poem ahead of Naga Chaitanya, Sobhita Dhulipala wedding: 'Force your heart...'
)
Model's bold dance in towel at India Gate raises eyebrows, netizens say arrest her, watch viral video
Congress' top leaders – president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul – are all set to appear before the Patiala House district court here in connection with the National Herald case on Saturday. But they are not willing to reveal their cards fully, on whether Rahul will be applying for bail or will prefer to go to jail.
The case, filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, accuses the Gandhis and four others of forming a company with the intention of acquiring property belonging to the now defunct newspaper National Herald that was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru. The seventh entity summoned in the case is Young Indian, the company formed by them, in which the Gandhis own 76% shares.
Both the Gandhis have aggressively countered the allegations against them as political vendetta. They will be the fourth and fifth generation of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to appear before a court of law after Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Though the party has rubbished media reports that it would organise a 'solidarity march' to court on Saturday, all its MPs are staying back in the capital.
AICC general secretary and Congress MP Janardan Dwivedi, however, stated the Congress has no intentions to protest against judiciary and that's why he has asked PCC chiefs not to come to the AICC headquarters. However, Congress MPs in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha say they have been asked to assemble at the party headquarters on 24, Akbar Road, by 1 pm. The court hearing on the case is scheduled at 3 pm.
Party general secretary Digvijay Singh, said the party leadership will decide only Saturday morning if party MPs and office-bearers will march from AICC headquarters to Patiala House Court along with Sonia and Rahul
Tight security
Under the aegis of the Special Protection Group, the Delhi police have been conducting thorough security checks inside and outside the court premises. The distance from 10, Janpath – Sonia Gandhi's residence – to the court is a mere 3.3 kms – a journey that can be covered in under 10 minutes – though the route will see heavy police presence and almost 16 additional CCTV cameras.
The setting of the courtroom drama is No.4, Judge Loveleen's chambers – a room small enough to hold barely 10-15 people.
To counter the anticipated media rush, passes were issued only to a few print media and agency reporters.
LIVE BLOG
- 19 Dec 2015, 03:59 PM
Rahul said that the Congress would not let the BJP achieve its aim of creating a 'Congress-mukt Bharat'.
Modiji Congress mukt bharat chahtay hain, yeh kabhi nahii hoga pic.twitter.com/aEBPDlWJQO
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015
- 19 Dec 2015, 03:53 PM
Subramanian Swamy denies he has been in touch with PM Modi over the issue. He calls the case an open and shut case.
I have never spoken to the PM on this matter-Subramanian Swamy #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/ETVDigQoSI
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015
Sonia Gandhi, speaking to the media, claimed that the Modi government was on a witch hunt against the Gandhis. She said that the 'truth will come out' and claimed that she had gone to court like a common citizen with a clean conscience.Aaj hum saaf mann se adalat mein pesh huye jaise ek acche naagrik ko hona chahiye-Sonia Gandhi #NationalHerald
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015Ye log hume kabhi apne raaste se hata nahi paayenge,kendra sarkar jaan boojh kar hume nishana bana rahi hai-Sonia Gandhi #NationalHerald
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015
Rahul Gandhi supported his mother's words. He targeted PM Modi directly, and bizarrely invoked the idea that the Congress would continue to fight for the poor and downtrodden.Modiji makes false allegations and he thinks the opposition will bend. I will not bend, Congress won't bend: Rahul Gandhi #NationalHerald
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015We will keep fighting for the poor and as an opposition party,not move back an inch-Rahul Gandhi #NationalHerald
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015Former PM Manmohan Singh backed the Gandhis.
We will give a determined fight because we stand for certain ideals: Dr Manmohan Singh
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 03:10 PM
Bail has been granted to both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each. Former PM Manmohan Singh stands as surety for Sonia Gandhi.
Next hearing of the court will be held on February 20. The hearing lasted just 5 minutes. The court rejected Swamy's argument that the family's passports should be held back. No other questions were asked.
- 19 Dec 2015, 02:55 PM
Arguments have begun in the Patiala House court. Kapil Sibal has begun his arguments.
WATCH: Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at Patiala House Court #NationalHerald https://t.co/zyickn5aCS
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 02:52 PM
Lawyers inside the court are now raising slogans in support of Rahul and Sonia Gandhi.
- 19 Dec 2015, 02:51 PM
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have reached Patiala House court.
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi enter Patiala House Court #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/umJ3YhFygQ
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 02:41 PM
Former PM Manmohan Singh, Sheila Dixit and many other Congress leaders have also reached the Patiala House court.
NDTV reports say that Manmohan Singh will furnish a bail bond for Sonia Gandhi if required. Ahmed Patel will furnish the bail bond for Rahul Gandhi.
- 19 Dec 2015, 02:32 PM
Subramanian Swamy has arrived in court, calls Gandhis cowards.
Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Singhvi and Ahmed Patel have arrived at the Patiala court. Robert and Priyanka Vadra will also be present.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at Patiala House Court #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/D1jaHEfy5W
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 01:40 PM
Randeep Surjewala continues his tirade against BJP and Modi.
Subramanian Swamy is a stooge of PM Modi, saying it with a sense of responsibility: Randeep Singh Surjewala pic.twitter.com/YmIgAP3S6O
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015This is perhaps taking the issue very far.
Congress supporters sign with ink and make a thumb print with blood in support of Rahul Gandhi in Bhubaneswar pic.twitter.com/gGH07D32ud
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 01:36 PM
A meeting is soon to begin at Ghulam Nabi Azad's residence.
During elections, BJP's slogan was Cong Mukt Bharat, after coming to power,now it is "Vipaksh Mukta Bharat"-GN Azad pic.twitter.com/xo3Or6js6A
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015Congress leaders Motilal Vohra, Meira Kumar, AK Antony and Ajay Maken reach Ghulam Nabi Azad's residence #NationalHerald
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 01:33 PM
Congress workers protest in Varanasi #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/vkkzkt11R4
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015Congress workers protest in Nagpur #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/JEAk3xN04R
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015Ghulam Nabi Azad alleges that the Modi government has rewarded Subramanian Swamy for his actions.
S Swamy ko Z+ Security, Govt accommodation inaam ke taur pe diya ki tum Cong leadership ko court mein ghasteene mein kaamyaab ho gye-GN azad
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 01:10 PM
Meanwhile, Ghulam Nabi Azad addressing the press said, "Subramanian Swamy has been given Z+ security, govt accommodation as a gift for succeeding in dragging the Congress leadership to court. We have faith in judiciary and in the law of the country, we will get justice."
- 19 Dec 2015, 12:51 PM
Robert Vadra in a Facebook post has fully backed Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
My full support to my mother in law and brother in law. Politics of vendetta and desperate malicious attempts of defamation, will not be believed ...Truth shall prevail.
Posted by Robert Vadra on Friday, 18 December 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 12:35 PM
Congress workers seem to be extremely agitated all around the country. They are now holding a shirtless protest in Bengaluru.
Shirtless demonstration by Congress workers in Bengaluru #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/Ghb1ctUHU0
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015WATCH: Congress workers protest in Bengaluru,raise anti-PM Modi slogans and posters #NationalHerald https://t.co/UTAWAzApyY
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015Anti-Modi posters have also gone up.
Anti-Modi posters by Congress workers in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/KHhdbBxGcv
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 12:31 PM
Rahul Gandhi has left from his residence and reached 10 Janpath.
Meanwhile, BS Yedyurappa of BJP has alleged that Congress is against progress of India, hence they are behaving in this disruptive fashion.
They (Cong) don't want any progress in the country or House to function, people will teach them : BS Yediyurappa BJP pic.twitter.com/ihLgCl77m9
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015Rajiv Pratap Rudy has a similar opinion.
There is a national consensus on GST, Congress still opposes to create obstacles to progress: Rajiv Pratap Rudy BJP pic.twitter.com/1DfZzLXqkI
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 12:21 PM
Abhishek Manu Singhvi assured the media that the Congress procession to court would be peaceful and expressed faith in the judiciary.
We have faith in judiciary,all legal options including bail are available-Abhishek Manu Singhvi,Congress #NationalHerald
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015Congress workers and supporters have gathered outside the party HQ in Delhi.
Congress supporters gather outside Congress HQ in Delhi pic.twitter.com/EMHe72Sy1J
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015But a Congress workers' protest in Bhopal has been shut down by the police.
Congress workers protest in Bhopal, workers detained #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/8n4y1hAqQM
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 10:55 AM
Surjewala then went on to allege a malicious agenda.
Why is it that from HM to V Naidu & all other ministers continue to level completely biased allegations in #NationalHerald case?-Surjewala
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015Its pol vendetta led by Narendra Modi, Subramanian Swamy is only a small cog in this wheel of conspiracy-Surjewala pic.twitter.com/IISumVcMkg
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015
Ashwani Kumar hoped the Congress would be able to put up a good defence in court.Fully confident that will be able to put forth our point of view to court in best of our capacity-Ashwani Kumar, Cong #NationalHerald
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015He also rubbished allegations that Congress was disrupting Parliament only over the National Herald case.
Parl not disrupted only on basis of #NationalHerald,there was a series of issues we took up on regular basis-A Kumar pic.twitter.com/KsNejLOgSf
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 10:00 AM
BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao has slammed the Congress.
Congress should approach this issue as a legal issue and allow courts to decide-GVLN Rao,BJP #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/gJM6lkAJ5g
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015
Rao added that the Congress was behaving as if Sonia and Rahul were above the system.However, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had a different opinion.
Sonia ji & Rahul G have always walked on the path of truth & truth will prevail-RS Surjewala,Cong #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/II3jjo1UPM
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015We have complete respect for the judicial process, will fight the legal battle in accordance with law-RS Surjewala #NationalHerald
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015 - 19 Dec 2015, 09:21 AM
Digvijay Singh has fired the first salvo by slamming the BJP and RSS, even as Sonia and Rahul are set to appear in court today.
BJP RSS combine have always considered Nehruvian Ideology and Nehru Gandhi Family as biggest threat to their growth.
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) December 19, 2015They have run a sustained campaign against them. National Herald is another example of their vilification campaign against them.
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) December 19, 2015People of this Country would give them a fitting reply as they did earlier. Gandhi Nehruvian Ideology is ingrained in Indian Ethos.
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) December 19, 2015
Here's a glimpse of the security outside court.Security tightened at Patiala House Court, 16 additional CCTV cameras installed (Visuals from Court premises) pic.twitter.com/cHn9oAb4mA
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015
