The Congress leaders accused in National Herald case on Saturday objected on summoning of Government documents for the trial, urging Metropolitan Magistrate to recall his earlier order. later in the evening, Magistrate lovleen ordered for keeping the Government documents in sealed cover and for further hearing on March 21.
Before the arguments, one of the accused, Sam Pitroda, was granted bail. All other accused who got bail were exempted by the Supreme Court from personal appearance. Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of Congress in the lok Sabha provided personal surety to Pitroda, who provided bond of `50,000 for bail.
Arguments in the case witnessed heated arguments between petitioner Subram-anian Swamy and Kapil Sibal, representing Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Sibal raised objections on Magistrate’s earlier order summoning documents from six Government Departments. During the court proceedings, Swamy pointed out that already this matter is pending before Delhi High Court and it rejected staying Magistrate’s order.
During the court proceedings, Swamy pointed out that already this matter is pending before Delhi High Court and it rejected staying Magistrate’s order. “You already raised this before HC and demand for stay is rejected matter is pending there. Now how you raise the issue in High Court,” said Swamy.
Sibal said only other accused Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandez approached HC and main accused Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi was not part of that. “Oh…your clients were not aware what Vora doing. You can join with Vora there. These are excuses to delay the process in getting Government documents,” said Swamy suggesting that Magistrate should out rightly “these kind of delaying tactics.”
The 30 minute arguments witnessed several sparring between Swamy and Sibal. At one point Swamy pointed out that Sibal was reading out not proper judgments. Sibal was pointing out a judgment barring production of personal documents of person. “Here I am asking for Government documents. Not any one’s private documents. It is not fair to read out convenient portions from some other judgments of some other case,” said Swamy. Sibal raised several objections on Magistrate’s order which never sought opposite party’s version. Meanwhile Delhi High Court is expected to hear the arguments of Congress leaders’ objection on production of Government documents in the case on March 15.
Patiala House Court which witnessed chaos for the past few days was totally cordoned off security forces belong to CRPF commandos and Delhi Police team barricading the entire Court premises. Only lawyers and concerned parties of the case were allowed to enter the court room.
In the meanwhile, AM Singhvi representing Rahul Gandhi asked the court to conduct the hearing of National Herald case on Saturdays when the magistrate was fixing the next date. “Hope everybody will agree to my suggestion,” he said. On which all the high profile advocates agreed. However, the court did not change the date.