National Herald case: Congress seeks return of documents

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has sought documents relating to a loan given by Congress to AJL, the holding firm of the National Herald, saying these were necessary for the purposes of trial.

Congress Party today approached a Delhi court seeking return of certain documents, including its balance sheet, which were submitted in the National Herald case involving Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi.

The party, in its application, said that the court had earlier said that records retained as per its February 20 and March 21 order be returned to the appropriate authorities but they have still not received the documents.

"It is imperative to bring to the knowledge of this court that record submitted on behalf of Indian National Congress on April 8, 2016 has still not been returned in compliance of the order dated July 16, 2016," the plea filed through advocate Badar Mahmood said.

A similar application was also filed in the court by Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) seeking return of documents.

Link magistrate Harvinder Singh listed both the pleas for consideration on December 9 before the court concerned.

The court also put up the matter for the same date for arguments on an application filed earlier by complainant and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking documents from Congress and AJL in the case.

In his plea, Swamy has sought documents relating to a loan given by Congress to AJL, the holding firm of the National Herald, saying these were necessary for the purposes of trial.

The plea was opposed by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi who accused Swamy of trying to create an "archive for ulterior motives" by seeking documents from the party and AJL.