The Congress on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court order in the National Herald case, saying it would give an opportunity to the party to “expose the false and malicious” allegations of complainant Sub
The Congress on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court order in the National Herald case, saying it would give an opportunity to the party to “expose the false and malicious” allegations of complainant Subramanian Swamy, who it claimed has “lost” the case.
Addressing a press conference, Mr Kapil Sibal, who represented the Gandhis and other party leaders in the case, said the apex court expunging certain observations of the Delhi high court meant that no one can allege that Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Mr Rahul Gandhi or any party leader in the case have committed any illegality or wrongdoing.
“We are very glad. Now we will have the opportunity to expose the false and malicious allegations of Swamy,” he said, insisting that with the apex court’s order “there is no observation, no conclusion of any judge about any wrongdoing by any party office-bearer, including the Congress president and Congress vice president”.
Asked whether the Congress has “won half the battle” with Friday’s order of the apex court, he remarked, “Swamy has lost.”
Mr Sibal said he contended before the court that no case of either cheating or breach of trust had been made out. No member of Congress has claimed that he or she was cheated nor had any member of the Congress alleged breach of trust.
He also contended that Dr Swamy had “no locus standi” to complain that the Congress had been cheated or that breach of trust had been committed by the Congress in regard to those who have donated to the party or the shareholders of Associated Journals Limited. “It is now clear that neither Swamy nor those inimical to Congress can rely on any prima facie observations or findings of any court and allege that the office-bearers of Congress, including its president, vice-president and others, have committed any illegality or wrongdoing,” a beaming Mr Sibal said. “I do hope that the BJP is a little more circumspect than it has been in the past in latching on to unsubstantiated observations and unsubstantiated findings.”
Another party spokesman, Mr Abhishek Singhvi, who also represented the Gandhis in the case, tweeted: “It is a very satisfactory order as far as our clients are concerned & we will obey it in letter & spirit.”
Meanwhile, Congress chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said partymen have a “deep sense of satisfaction” over the Supreme Court decision. “We have always believed that the remarks, assertions and conclusions recorded by the single bench of the Delhi high court were neither appropriate on the merits of the case nor in accordance with the established tenets of law. In fact, these remarks amounted to prejudicing the ongoing judicial process before the trial court. Hon’ble Supreme Court has set aside these remarks and conclusions,” he said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, Swamy and his supporters in BJP continue to make irresponsible and misleading statements qua the entire process after raising objections before the Supreme Court. We would request all concerned to respect the fairness and impartiality of the judicial process of the country,” he added.
