National Herald case: Shall exercise right to get bail, says Congress

The court hearing for the National Herald case begins at 3 p.m. today

Expressing confidence in the judicial system, the Congress Party on Saturday said it would exercise its right to bail and exemption after taking legal advice in accordance with the law in connection with the National Herald case.

"All legal options, including bail and exemption are available, and we shall exercise them according to internal confidential legal advice between us and our clients and also in accordance with law. This is not a tamasha or a game. We are proceeding to court in a serious, dignified and respectful manner," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told media here.

"All this hype and hyperbole is totally unnecessary for a routine court proceeding. We have utmost faith and respect in the judiciary," he added.

Singhvi added when there was no restriction on the shareholders of AJL, there was no criminal complaint. But now, when AJL is 'ring-fenced' by a Section 25 company in 2011 called Young India, a criminal complaint is coming up.

"Now, we have a second ring-fencing of a Section 8 company. AJL itself is being converted, the notice is being issued. Is there going to be another threat because we are ring-fencing, safeguarding and increasing the multiple layers of safeguards this time? This is absolute petty politicisation by a senior member of the BJP," he added.

Meanwhile, supporters of the Congress Party have gathered in large numbers outside the Congress headquarter displaying their solidarity with party president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi in view of the hearing of the National Herald case today.

Also, security has been beefed up outside the Patiala House court and the Congress headquarters in Delhi.

Sixteen additional CCTV cameras have been installed outside the court.

The court hearing for the National Herald case begins at 3 p.m.