National Herald Case: Delhi Court Lists Matter for Evidence as Delhi HC Stay Not Extended

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Neha Mittal took note of submissions made on behalf of complainant Dr. Subramanian Swamy, who expressed his intention to withdraw his pending appeal before the Delhi High Court.

The trial court has now listed the matter for evidence on November 29.

During the hearing, counsel for Swamy submitted a copy of the Delhi High Court’s October 8 order, which recorded that Advocate Satya Anand Sabharwal, representing Swamy, sought to withdraw the petition.

The High Court noted, however, that Sabharwal’s vakalatnama was not on record and granted time to file it before the next hearing on November 21.

The Patiala House Court had earlier issued summons to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others, who are currently on bail in the case. The matter was later transferred to the Special MP-MLA Court at Rouse Avenue, where it is presently at the stage of recording evidence.

The complaint, filed by Swamy, alleges that the Indian National Congress extended a loan of ₹90 crore to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), and that the Young Indian Pvt. Ltd., a company allegedly controlled by the Gandhis, subsequently took over AJL’s shareholding and assets, amounting to criminal misappropriation and breach of trust.

Separately, a connected money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is pending consideration on the issue of summoning the proposed accused persons. The ED has filed a prosecution complaint (charge sheet) against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, Sunil Bhandari, Young Indian, and M/s Dotex Merchandise Pvt. Ltd.

This case is listed for hearing on October 25.