National Herald case: Sonia, Rahul Gandhi to appear before court today, may seek bail

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi will appear before a magistrate here on Saturday, perhaps a first for her — in the National Herald case. She and her son, Mr Rahul Gandhi, could seek anticipatory bail. The Congress made it clear that both are open to all legal remedies and options.

“We are open to availing all legal remedies and options, including bail,” said the party’s chief spokesman, Mr Randeep Surjewala, ahead of the two top leaders appearing before metropolitan magistrate Lovleen in the Patiala House courts on Saturday.

The Congress president and vice-president have been summoned by the trial court on a private criminal complaint by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy alleging conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust and misappropriation of property.

Mr Surjewala said the Congress leadership does not want the court process to be interfered with or influenced in any manner and so the party has asked workers not to come to court.

Partymen claim the Congress wants it to be a low-key affair. The AICC has dismissed reports that the Congress has called its state leaders to Delhi when the Gandhis will appear in court. The party has been maintaining that a decision will be taken in accordance with their lawyers’ advice.

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What is the National Herald case?

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Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who is representing the Gandhis, said, “Unnecessary hype over a routine procedure need not be created by the media. We are proceeding in every manner in accordance with law.”

Mr Singhvi, who is also a party spokesman, said, “We have been scrupulously avoiding all hype or hoopla about this as far as the courts are concerned.”

Party general secretary Shakeel Ahmed said the Congress would politically fight the Narendra Modi government on the issue as it was a “vendetta”.

Congress MPs have been asked to gather at AICC headquarters on Saturday, ahead of the appearance of the Gandhis in court, as a measure of solidarity.

AICC officials, CWC members, officials of frontal organisations, former ministers and chief ministers are expected to gather there at about 1 pm.

“The Modi government cannot suppress Sonia Gandhi, or Rahul Gandhi, or the Congress party from continuing to raise the voice of the people,” Mr Surjewala said, adding the government was on a “malicious witch-hunt” against all political opponents, including the Congress leadership.

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