National Herald case: Parliament disrupted

Congress members were seen moving to the well of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament and protesting over the issue.

Following disruptions, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm.

Similar scenes were seen in the Lok Sabha where members raised slogans and protested against the National Herald newspaper property case.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu slammed the Congress over disrupting the Houses and told media: "We don't understand what has suddenly happened to the Congress? They are not letting the house to function."

The Congress said its president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi will appear in Delhi court on Dec 19 in National Herald newspaper property case even as the party called it a political vendetta orchestrated by the ruling BJP while Parliament also witnessed noisy scenes by Congress members over the issue leading to adjournment of both houses.

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi might move the Supreme Court in the case of the paper where they were accused of acquiring National Herald property worth Rs. 5,000 crore though a caveat has been filed against that by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.

Media reports quoted Sonia Gandhi saying "I leave it on you to judge" when asked about the case and she reportedly said being the daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi she is not afraid.

Congress leader and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi said they were told by telephone about the pronouncement of judgement and he had made it clear before a magistrate of the Patiala  court that each accused is keen and willing to appear before the magistrate's court.

"The court saw the papers and we are only seeking exemption for today [Dec 8]. On Dec 19  all accused barring one who is in USA [Sam Pitroda] will be present. Let me make it clear that each person involved have highest regard for court," said Singhvi.

"Our contention is that it is political vendetta," he said adding that Subramanian Swamy, who is pursuing the cases against the Gandhis accusing them of cheating and misappropriation of funds, is a central committee member of the BJP.

Singhvi said the BJP is attacking senior Congress persons out of political malice.

Earlier, giving a blow to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi, the Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed  their petition which asked to cancel lower court's summons issued against them in connection with the National Herald newspaper case.

Subramanian Swamy on Monday even filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to pre-empt any ex-parte order on appeals likely to be filed by  Sonia Gandhi or Rahul in the case.

The National Herald newspaper was established in Lucknow on Sept 9, 1938 by first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, grandfather of Rahul Gandhi. The paper finally ceased operations in 2008.

The National Herald, before its closure was being run by Associated Journals. There were reports that the paper was being revived under journalist Suman Dubey, technocrat Sam Pitroda and the newly incorporated, Sonia Gandhi-owned Young India Company headquartered at Herald House.

The paper was to have come out by Children’s Day in 2011 but Rahul Gandhi, a member of the board of the Young India Company had denied any plans on the part of the company to revive the paper.