The Delhi High Court has granted an extension on the stay of trial court proceedings in the National Herald case, involving key Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others. The decision, announced by Justice Vikas Mahajan, postpones the hearing to July 28, allowing more time for the involved parties to submit their written arguments.
The case, which has captured significant public and political interest, centers on allegations made by former BJP MP Subramanian Swamy. Swamy accuses the Gandhis along with other Congress members of conspiring to cheat and misappropriate funds. The accusation details that only Rs 50 lakh was paid by Young Indian Pvt Ltd (YI) to obtain the right to recover Rs 90.25 crore owed by Associate Journals Ltd, the owner of National Herald, to the Congress.
During the proceedings, Swamy along with senior counsel R S Cheema, representing the Gandhis, requested additional time to file their written submissions. Swamy emphasized that his plea does not seek a stay on the investigation itself but on the trial proceedings. In contrast, Tarannum Cheema, also advocating for the Gandhis, highlighted that the case originated from a private complaint and noted there was no formal investigation ongoing.
In response to Swamy’s legal action against a February 11, 2021, trial court order which declined his request to lead evidence against the accused, the High Court had initially paused the trial proceedings. Swamy’s appeal includes a request to summon various witnesses such as the Secretary-General (Registry Officer) of the Supreme Court, a Deputy Land and Development Officer, and a Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, to validate certain documents.
The allegations involve the accused being summoned by the trial court in 2014 for purported offences including misappropriation of property, criminal breach of trust, cheating, and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code. Following the death of AICC treasurer Motilal Vora and AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandes, proceedings against Vora were abated, whereas the trial for other accused had continued.
