This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

National Herald Case: Sonia, Rahul's Lawyers Will Go To Court Armed With Bail Bonds

National Herald Case: Sonia, Rahul's Lawyers Will Go To Court Armed With Bail Bonds
Congress party President Sonia Gandhi, right, and her son and Vice President Rahul Gandhi arrive for celebrations marking the 125th birth anniversary of the first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, portrait seen, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. Nehru is the great-grandfather of Rahul Gandhi. His birth anniversary falls on Nov. 14. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Congress party President Sonia Gandhi, right, and her son and Vice President Rahul Gandhi arrive for celebrations marking the 125th birth anniversary of the first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, portrait seen, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. Nehru is the great-grandfather of Rahul Gandhi. His birth anniversary falls on Nov. 14. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

New Delhi -- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will turn up at the Patiala court today for the hearing of the National Herald case, prepared for all eventualities.

According to a report on The Indian Express, the legal team for the Gandhis will reach the court armed with bail bonds.

IE reports: "It is learnt that the legal team of the two Congress leaders took a decision Friday morning that “it will serve no purpose” for not seeking bail in the case, as it is a “politically motivated one”. The sources said the bail bonds for the Gandhis are ready and their defence lawyers would be carrying them to the trial court."

"We are open to availing all legal remedies and options including bail," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said, ahead of the two top leaders appearing before Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen in the Patiala House court today.

The Congress President and Vice President have been summoned by the trial court on the basis of a private criminal complaint lodged by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, alleging that the Gandhis are guilty of conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust and misappropriation of property.

Reports suggest that the Gandhis' lawyers will argue that 'there is no apprehension that they would be fleeing the country', while seeking bail. Sonia Gandhi's fragile health will also be cited as a reason to seek bail for her.

Surjewala added 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 the court.

Party men claim that the Congress wants it to be a low key affair. AICC has dismissed reports that the Congress has called its state leaders to Delhi when the Gandhis will appear before the court

The party has been maintaining so far that a decision would be taken in accordance with what advice the lawyers will give.

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."

Singhvi, who is also party spokesman, said "We have been scrupulously avoiding all hype or hoopla about this as fas as courts are concerned."

However, Economic Times reports: "On Friday evening, there was steady stream of visitors at the AICC headquarters, including party leaders who have reached Delhi from the states. AICC office-bearers, Congress MPs and leaders and supporters of frontal organizations, including Youth Congress, Mahila Congress, Seva Dal are planning to gather at 24 Akabar Road. Many of them are planning a "peaceful solidarity march along with the Gandhis to the court".

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 the party headquarters tomorrow ahead of the appearance of the Gandhis in the court as a measure of solidarity.

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

With inputs from PTI

Contact HuffPost India

Also see on HuffPost:

Rahul Gandhi, Congress Vice President

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.