delhi-hc-extends-stay-on-trial-in-national-herald-scam

The Delhi High Court has granted additional time to former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to submit their written notes in the National Herald case.

 

The court has also extended the stay on the trial court proceedings, with the next hearing scheduled for July.

 

Justice Vikas Mahajan, who presided over the matter on Thursday, allowed more time for all parties involved. The case stems from Swamy’s plea seeking to present evidence before the trial court against the Gandhis and others accused in the case.

 

Swamy had approached the High Court challenging a 11 February 2021 order by the trial court, which had denied his request to present evidence at that stage.

 

The trial court had stated that his application under Section 244 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) would only be considered after his own examination in the case was completed.

 

Swamy contended that the case was largely based on documentary evidence that required verification through witness testimonies.

 

In his application, Swamy sought the summoning of several officials as witnesses, including the Secretary-General (Registry Officer) of the Supreme Court, the Deputy Land and Development Officer, the Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax Circle-1, a Congress official who issued a press statement on 2 November 2012, and a journalist.

 

Senior advocates R.S. Cheema and Tarannum Cheema represented the Congress leaders in court. R.S. Cheema had previously cross-examined Swamy during the proceedings. The case, filed by Swamy in 2012, is currently being heard by a special court at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue.

 

Swamy’s complaint alleges that Associated Journals Limited (AJL) had taken an interest-free loan of ₹90.25 crore from the Indian National Congress, which was purportedly not repaid.

 

He has accused the Gandhis and others of conspiring to cheat and misappropriate funds. Congress leaders have denied all allegations, maintaining that the case is politically motivated.

 

With the High Court extending the stay on proceedings, the legal battle continues, with the next developments expected in July.