Delhi High Court on Monday ordered for day-to-day basis hearing on the National Herald case from January 12. Hearing BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s complaint of frequent adjournments and delays on the appeal filed by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi against the summons of trial court, Justice VP Vaish ordered for the daily hearing of the case, listing the matter as the first item from January 12.
“The court will hear the matter on day-to-day basis from January 12. The appeals will be regularly heard by this court. The matter will be listed as item number 1,” the judge said. The court also ordered for continuation of stay on the summons order of the trail court till the final disposal.
As and when the hearing started in High Court, Swamy cited the frequent delays created by the accused from September.
“No excuse should be permitted to them (Sonia and others) from next date of hearing. They have not resumed arguments from September and finding frivolous reasons to delay the process,” he said.
Swamy said the trial court had given more than 40 days to the accused for appearing before it. But just 48 hours before the day of appearance in trial court, they approached High Court. “None should be allowed to play with the legal procedures. The law is above all,” he said.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court has listed Swamy’s petition on December 18, complaining about the frequent delays in the High Court. But with Monday’s order from the High Court on day-to-day basis hearing, Swamy is expected not to press his complaint in the apex court. The trial court summoned the accused, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes and Gandhi family’s close associates Suman Dubey and Sam Pitroda on January 31.
Metropolitan Magistrate has reissued summons to Pitroda through Ministry of External Affairs, as he has not yet turned up. Swamy had already served summons at Pitroda’s residence in Chicago and informed the Magistrate. But Sonia Gandhi’s counsel insisted for summoning through Ministry of External Affairs.