Congress will use National Herald case to mobilise its rank and file: CPI

The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Saturday said that the Congress Party has taken the National Herald case as a 'legal battle', and added that being a political party, they will use this occasion to mobilise their rank and file.

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"India is a country which believes in the rule of law. It is a legal case and the Congress Party has taken this as a legal battle. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi going to court, itself sends a message that all are equal before law. They were summoned and were granted bail. Let us see what will happen in the coming days," Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja told ANI.

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"Outside, being a political party they will use this occasion to mobilize its rank and file or the rank and file of the party will rely around this," he added.

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Earlier, the Patiala House court granted unconditional bail to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each in the National Herald case.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took surety for Rahul Gandhi and AK Antony took surety for Sonia Gandhi. Ajay Maken took surety for Suman Dubey, BK Hariprasad for Motilal Vora, and Ghulam Nabi Azad took surety for Oscar Fernandes.

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The court will next hear the case on February 20.

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Subramanian Swamy also demanded bailable warrant against Sam Pitroda for non appearance and also opposed bail for the Gandhis.

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The Gandhis along with the other accused in the National Herald case appeared before Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen in response to summons issued against them. They have been summoned by the trial court on prima facie charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and dishonest misappropriation of property under relevant sections of the law.

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Congress MLA V.S. Rathore however represented Sam Pitroda in the court today. Pitroda is unwell and undergoing treatment in the United States.

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The National Herald newspaper was closely associated with India's freedom struggle and the Indian National Congress till 2008. In January 2008, discussions about its closure began. On 1 April 2008, the paper's editorial announced that it was temporarily suspending operations. Before its closure, the paper was being run by Associated Journals Limited (AJL).

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BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed the case in a local court in 2012. The trial court then issued summons to the two leaders among others in June 2014, but they approached the Delhi High Court seeking a stay. On Monday this week, the high court refused to stay the summons, and asked all of the accused to appear for a hearing on December 19.

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The accused face allegations that they illegally acquired property worth Rs. 5,000 crore belonging to the National Herald newspaper.