National Herald case: Supreme Court orders Sonia, Rahul Gandhi to face trial

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi to face trial proceedings in the National Herald case.

Refusing to interfere with the trial, a bench led by Justice J S Khehar said there is no justification in interfering with the Delhi High Court’s order that had asked five Congress leaders, including Sonia and Rahul, to face trial over charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust.

However, the bench expunged those parts of the HC order wherein incriminating inferences and “firm conclusions” had been recorded so as to ensure a “fair trial for everyone.”

The court said the HC observations may prejudice the accused and that it would be for the magistrate concerned to examine the allegations levelled by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in his complaint.

It also allowed a plea by Congress leaders to exempt them from personal appearance before the magistrate, saying their presence would only cause inconvenience. However, the bench added, the Congress leaders can be summoned as and when required by the trial court.

The Congress leaders had moved the Supreme Court for getting the criminal prosecution quashed but the bench declined to grant this prayer. It said the accused can raise all objections before the trial court and that no interference with the proceedings is warranted at this stage.

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Source:indianexpress