Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Saturday issued notices to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, party Vice President Rahul Gandhi and others in connection with the National Herald case, ANI reported. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on July 22.
The court was hearing Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy’s plea seeking documents and balance sheets maintained by the Congress and party-run Associated Journals Limited. The bench asked the Gandhis to reply to Swamy’s plea. The BJP leader had accused Sonia and her son Rahul Gandhi of conspiracy and cheating with the aim to acquire properties and assets owned by the National Herald newspaper.
On Twitter, Swamy alleged that since the Congress’ legal team was abroad, he was not able to submit the application for documents to them. He said the Congress had opposed his effort to procure the documents, and hence he had requested to file for his own copies as per the provisions under Section 294 of CrPC.
In May this year, the Delhi High Court had given approval to the Income Tax Department to investigate Sonia and Rahul in connection with the case.
According to the Swamy, the Gandhis provided an interest-free loan of Rs 90.25 crore to Associated Journals Limited, publisher of three newspapers, including the National Herald, and transferred the debt to a company called Young India Limited for Rs 50 lakh. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are the major shareholders in Young India. The accused, including Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, Suman Dubey and Sam Pitroda, have refuted the allegations.
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