National Herald case: Security beefed up at court premises ahead of Sonia, Rahul appearance

Congress remains tight-lipped on the course of action that will follow the verdict.

New Delhi:

Security was beefed up on Friday at the Patiala House District Court premises in New Delhi ahead of the scheduled appearance of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi and others tomorrow in connection with the National Herald case.

The party remained tight-lipped on the course to be adopted by the two leaders when they appear before the court on Saturday afternoon.

According to court sources, senior officials of the Special Protection Group (SPG), Delhi Police and Intelligence Bureau reviewed the security arrangements at the court premises where 16 more CCTV cameras were installed on Friday.

The sources said security personnel have discussed at length the arrangements to be made for tomorrow as both Sonia and Rahul are SPG protectees. The security officials have also had a meeting with the District Judge of the Patiala House courts.

The police have made elaborate security arrangements considering the fact that the court is a public place where a number of lawyers, litigants come daily. The sources said that shops inside the premises will remain closed tomorrow and the area near gate number two of the court, where the courtroom in which the hearing is scheduled is located, will be cordoned off with deployment of a multi-layered security cover.

The case, filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, accused the Gandhis and four others of forming a company with the intention of acquiring property belonging to the now defunct newspaper National Herald that was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru.