National Herald case: As it happened on Saturday

Pic courtesy: ANI

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi were on Saturday granted bail by Patiala House court in the National Herald case, private complaint in which was filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. Get all the live updates right here through the day.

19 December 2015

20:32 PM

All Opposition parties are being unnecessarily troubled, says Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav.

18:26 PM

“I will win this case in 2016. Sonia, Rahul Gandhi and others will be sent to prison. It is an open and shut case based on documents and not witnesses,” said Subramanian Swamy earlier outside Patiala House Court.

18:16 PM

Congress and corruption are made for each other: Shri @naqvimukhtar https://t.co/QGsc68i6Wm #NationalHerald

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 19, 2015

16:56 PM

Even today, Congress stands by corruption. Their negative, arrogant attitude will come back to bite them, the BJP leader adds.

16:47 PM

The Union Minister further adds: "When we talk about Congress-free India, we mean corruption-free."

16:44 PM

Gandhis say National Herald is their legacy, it may be so. But so are all its scams and swindles. What has BJP got to do with it?: Naqvi.

16:37 PM

For the first time in the history of this nation, we have seen a fight in favour of corruption, says BJP's Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

16:36 PM

Congress and corruption made for each other has been proved yet again today, says Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

16:36 PM

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi addressing the media.

16:29 PM

BJP has been exposed, whatever Sonia Gandhi has said is right, BJP is using government agencies to target Opposition, says former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

16:19 PM

The @INCIndia top brass assembled at AICC to meet the party President &Vice President after their court appearance pic.twitter.com/IVq7SoUDy1

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 19, 2015

15:52 PM

We will give a determined fight because we stand for certain ideals, says former PM Manmohan Singh.

15:48 PM

We will not bow down, we will not back off an inch - Rahul Gandhi

15:48 PM

Modi ji levels baseless allegations, says Rahul Gandhi

15:48 PM

Congress president Sonia Gandhi is addressing the press

15:47 PM

These people will not be able to sideline us. Centre is intentionally targeting us - Sonia Gandhi

15:47 PM

We will continue to fight; we are not afraid - Sonia Gandhi 

15:44 PM

I have never spoken to the PM on this matter-Subramanian Swamy #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/ETVDigQoSI

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

15:41 PM

Sonia and Rahul were not allowed to sit in the court room - Swamy

15:40 PM

Subramanian Swamy says this is an open and shut case. "I will win this case in 2016; Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others will be sent to prison," Swamy tells media.

15:40 PM

Rahul Gandhi at party HQ, will address media shortly #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/Ur9VsCoxxf

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

15:40 PM

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have reached the party headquarters and were greeted by hundreds of supporters.

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi reach party HQ, will address media shortly pic.twitter.com/SmlaKUWNTY

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

15:30 PM

Congress is projecting the Gandhis as if they are freedom fighters, says BJP leader and Union Minister MA Naqvi.

15:26 PM

Ghulam Nabi Azad took surety for Oscar Fernandes #NationalHerald

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

15:22 PM

Ajay Maken took surety for Motilal Vora,Mallikarjun Kharge took surety for Suman Dubey #NationalHerald

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

15:22 PM

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took surety for Rahul Gandhi and AK Antony took surety for Sonia Gandhi #NationalHerald

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

15:22 PM

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are likely to address the media shortly.

15:17 PM

Dr. Manmohan Singh reaches at AICC pic.twitter.com/NHBkRqrTs0

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

15:17 PM

Congress workers raise slogans in support of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi at party HQs #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/quTOSkYW6n

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

15:13 PM

It had to be their ,we've full failth in judiciary: Anand Sharma on bail being granted to Gandhis #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/O3KMy5147D

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

15:13 PM

Gandhis will be present again on February 20, we have not yet asked for any exemptions - Sibal

15:12 PM

Three others including Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes and Suman Dubey also granted bail in National Herald case.

15:10 PM

Subramanian Swamy asked for travel restrictions to be placed on the accused but the judge declined that - Kapil Sibal

15:10 PM

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi leave from Patiala House Court #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/qSXurHklPb

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

15:09 PM

Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders leave from court #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/4C8YAijMRd

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

15:08 PM

Congress leader Sam Pitroda, who could not appear before the court today due to health reasons, has been allowed exemption and will now have to appear before the court at the next haring on February 20 next year.

15:08 PM

The next hearing in the case will be held on February 20, 2016 at 2 pm - Kapil Sibal

15:07 PM

Both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have been granted bail on sureties of Rs 50,000 each  - Kapil Sibal

15:05 PM

Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress leaders have now come out of the Patiala House court complex and will now head to AICC headquarters at 24, Akbar Road.

15:03 PM

Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen has granted bail to the Gandhis in the National Herald case,

15:00 PM

Subramanian Swamy demands bailable warrant against Sam Pitroda for non appearance, also opposes bail for the Gandhis, reports ANI.

14:59 PM

Congress leader and lawyer Kapil Sibal has started his argument.

14:58 PM

WATCH: Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at Patiala House Court #NationalHerald https://t.co/zyickn5aCS

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

14:57 PM

Arguments have begun in the National Herald case.

14:57 PM

Lawyers inside Patiala House Court raise slogans in support of Gandhis #NationalHerald

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

14:45 PM

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have arrived at the Patiala House court.

14:41 PM

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on their way to Patiala House Court #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/itlAeLfxed

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

14:41 PM

Dr.Manmohan Singh,Priyanka Gandhi Vadra,Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge reach court #NationalHerald

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

14:30 PM

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at Patiala House Court #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/8fF4qzFBMx

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

14:29 PM

As per reports, Ahmed Patel - Congress president Sonia Gandhi's secretary - and Abhishek Manu Singhvi have arrived at the Patiala House Court.

14:28 PM

Rahul Gandhi leaves from his residence for Patiala House Court #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/ubJFIz4oxk

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

14:27 PM

As per sources, former prime minister Manmohan Singh will be present in court during the proceedings in national Herald case.

14:25 PM

Reports say Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul have left for the court where hearing is expected to start at 3 pm.

14:25 PM

Meeting of Congress leaders at Ghulam Nabi Azad's residence ends.

14:17 PM

Subramanian Swamy and his wife Roxna Swamy reach Patiala House Court #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/yWv7s3x3Sc

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

14:05 PM

Priyanka Gandhi is attending a Congress strategy meet at the residence of Ghulam Nabi Azad.

14:00 PM

Congress MLA VS Rathore to represent Sam Pitroda in court today. Pitroda is unwell and undergoing treatment in USA #NationalHerald

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

13:54 PM

Z-category security was given to me by the PM Narasimha Rao government. It was restricted to some regions by the UPA government. The NDA government has now restored it for the entire country - Swamy

13:53 PM

In the eyes of law, everyone is equal, says Subramanian Swamy ahead of court hearing. "They (Congress) should face the law instead of taking out procession," Swamy adds.

13:19 PM

Congress supporters sign with ink and make a thumb print with blood in support of Rahul Gandhi in Bhubaneswar pic.twitter.com/gGH07D32ud

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

13:17 PM

Subramanian Swamy is a stooge of Narendra Modi, a mask for him - Randeep Singh Surjewala

13:15 PM

We have highest respect for the judiciary, will do what the court says - Kharge

13:13 PM

It is not us who are politicising this case, it's the BJP which has done it - Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge

13:10 PM

We have full faith in the judiciary and have no complaints against them - Azad

13:08 PM

We believe in the Constitution, rule of law. We will fight this case in court and through agitations - Azad

13:07 PM

BJP used to raise a slogan "Congress Mukt Bharat" ahead of General Elections. Now, they have amended that slogan to "Vipaksh (Opposition) Mukt Bharat" - Azad

13:06 PM

Centre's BJP government has been targeting opposition parties since it came to power - Ghulam Nabi Azad

13:05 PM

The Centre has allotted Subramanian Swamy government accommodation and given him Z+ security. He is not an MP. He doesn't face security threat. It is a reward for him for dragging Congress leadership to court - Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad

13:04 PM

Congress leaders are now addressing a press conference.

12:51 PM

Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra has come out in her support.

"My full support to my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. Politics of vendetta and desperate malicious attempts of defamation will not be believed," Vadra wrote on Facebook.

12:41 PM

The Congress party has put out several tweets on the case:

National Herald was started by Pt Nehru & leaders of freedom struggle in 1937 to give voice to freedom movement #PrideOfIndiaNationalHerald

— INC India (@INCIndia) December 19, 2015

Purshottam Das Tandon, Acharya Narendra Dev & Rafi Ahmad Kidwai were among first signatories to the MoA of Associated Journals Limited (AJL)

— INC India (@INCIndia) December 19, 2015

Over the years, the company often didn't have enough money to pay salaries of its employees, or taxes & other dues.

— INC India (@INCIndia) December 19, 2015

We supported AJL over the years bcz we believed National Herald, a part of the rich &vibrant legacy of freedom struggle, had to be preserved

— INC India (@INCIndia) December 19, 2015

MoA of AJL states:Policy of any newspaper, periodical..issued by the Company shall generally be in accordance with policy &principles of INC

— INC India (@INCIndia) December 19, 2015

Some of the leading lights of journalism served as Editors of the National Herald from time to time, including K Rama Rao

— INC India (@INCIndia) December 19, 2015

12:38 PM

DCP New Delhi Jatin Narwal says Rapid Action Force and paramilitary force have been deployed in and around the court to avoid any untoward incident.

12:32 PM

WATCH: Congress workers protest in Bengaluru,raise anti-PM Modi slogans and posters #NationalHerald https://t.co/UTAWAzApyY

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

12:32 PM

Anti-Modi posters by Congress workers in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/KHhdbBxGcv

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

12:13 PM

Shirtless demonstration by Congress workers in Bengaluru #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/Ghb1ctUHU0

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

12:13 PM

Reports say Priyanka Gandhi and her husband Robert Vadra will accompany Sonia and Rahul in court.

12:11 PM

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has arrived at 10, Janpath - the residence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi leaves from his residence #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/AecjAutRon

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

11:59 AM

Congress workers protest in Bhopal, workers detained #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/8n4y1hAqQM

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

11:59 AM

Govt has no role,if Rahul Gandhi has a problem then he should approach SC- RS Prasad,Union Minister #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/RIH924hsk5

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

11:36 AM

Congress workers have started gathering outside the Congress headquarters in Delhi.

Congress supporters gather outside Congress HQ in Delhi pic.twitter.com/EMHe72Sy1J

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

11:27 AM

"We have faith in the judiciary, all legal options including bail are available," Singhvi adds.

11:16 AM

"This is no tamasha or game. We will proceed to court in a serious and dignified manner," says Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

11:12 AM

Congress leader Ashwani Kumar says they are fully confident that party leaders will be able to put forth their point of view in court in the best of their capacity.

10:17 AM

Congress spokesman RS Surjewala says Sonia Gandhi and Rahul have always walked on the path of truth and that "truth will prevail".

"We have complete respect for the judicial process... we will fight the legal battle in accordance with law," Surjewala says, adding "it's political vendetta led by Narendra Modi. Subramanian Swamy is only a small cog in this wheel of conspiracy."

09:44 AM

Congress supporters gather near Teen Murti (Delhi) #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/fYK9DJtyGo

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

09:43 AM

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has hit out at the BJP and RSS in a series of tweets this morning.

BJP RSS combine have always considered Nehruvian Ideology and Nehru Gandhi Family as biggest threat to their growth.

— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) December 19, 2015

They have run a sustained campaign against them. National Herald is another example of their vilification campaign against them.

— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) December 19, 2015

People of this Country would give them a fitting reply as they did earlier. Gandhi Nehruvian Ideology is ingrained in Indian Ethos.

— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) December 19, 2015

09:32 AM

Large media contingent outside Patiala House Court ahead of #NationalHerald case hearing pic.twitter.com/YEyAwVpcli

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

09:19 AM

Congress MPs are likely to meet at AICC headquarters at 12.30 pm, says ANI.

09:15 AM

My goal is not only to eliminate corruption but instill courage in ordinary citizen and fear in the high and mighty.

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) December 19, 2015

09:00 AM

The Delhi Police has barricaded the Patiala House Court premises and very few people are being allowed in and around the premises. Even the media is being kept at bay.

Security tightened at Patiala House Court (Visuals from Court premises) #NationalHerald pic.twitter.com/Pm8FiJL5Wl

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 19, 2015

08:30 AM

Sources are claiming that the Gandhis will seek bail today in the National Herald case. This is in contrast from previous reports that Sonia and Rahul would not apply for bail and are ready to go to jail if the magistrate decides so.

08:00 AM

It's a crucial day for the Gandhi family. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi will today appear before a court here in connection with the National Herald case.

On Friday, party sources said the duo could seek bail when they appear before the magistrate at around 3 pm today.

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

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

Surjewala said 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.

Partymen 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.

Congress MPs have been asked to gather at the party headquarters today 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. - PTI