National Herald Case: Delhi High Court notice to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi on Subramanian Swamy's petition

In the National Herald case, notice has been issued to the interim president of Delhi High Court Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The court has sought answers from both on the petition of BJP MP Subramanian Swamy. Swamy has challenged the trial court's order regarding summoning various documents and witnesses. The matter will now be heard on April 12.

At the same time, a court in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra has postponed the hearing in the defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi till May 15. Rajesh Kunte, a local Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) officer, filed a case against him in 2014 after watching Diya's speech in Bhiwandi, Thane. In this speech, the Congress leader alleged that RSS was behind the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi appeared in a magistrate's court in Bhiwandi in 2018 and claimed himself innocent. Charges were then leveled against him and the case began to be heard.

When the matter came up for hearing on Saturday before Magistrate JV Paliwal, Gandhi's lawyer Narayan Iyer requested the Congress leader to be released from the citation citing Kovid-19 sanctions. The court gave its permission. Kunte's counsel PP Jayawant requested the adjournment of the hearing citing a petition filed in the Bombay High Court seeking permission to produce some documents as evidence in the case.

Magistrate Paliwal said that the High Court has not ordered a stay of trial in the lower court. Jaywant requested the adjournment of the case, which the court granted. The court fixed May 15 for further hearing of the case and the complainant's statement is also likely to be recorded on the same day.