Delhi High Court Grants More Time In National Herald Case; Extends Stay On Trial

On Thursday, the Delhi High Court allowed additional time for former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others to submit their short notes on arguments related to the National Herald case.

Justice Vikas Mahajan’s bench granted the extension and scheduled the next hearing for July.

The court also continued the stay on trial court proceedings in the case.

The hearing pertained to Swamy’s plea seeking permission to present evidence before the trial court against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other accused in the matter.

Swamy had approached the High Court challenging a trial court order from 11 February 2021, which had refused his request to introduce evidence before completing his own testimony.

The trial court stated that it would consider his application under Section 244 of the CrPC only after concluding his examination.

Swamy argued that since the case is heavily based on documentary evidence, it is essential to verify the documents through witnesses.

He requested the summoning of several individuals, including:

• Supreme Court Registry official,
• Deputy Land and Development Officer,
• Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax Circle-1,
• A Congress official who issued a press statement in 2012, and
• Journalist

Senior advocates RS Cheema and Tarannum Cheema appeared for the Congress leaders.

RS Cheema had previously cross-examined Swamy in the case.

The National Herald case, initiated by Swamy, is being heard by a special court at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue.

Swamy’s complaint alleged that Associated Journals Limited (AJL) received an interest-free loan of Rs 90.25 crore from the Indian National Congress, which was never repaid.

In 2012, he filed a case claiming the Gandhis and others were involved in financial misconduct and conspiracy. Congress leaders have dismissed the accusations.

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