New Delhi: Two days before Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi appear at a Delhi trial court in the National Herald case, the grand old party appears to be contemplating a change in its strategy against what was decided earlier.
Contrary to its earlier stand of the Gandhis not seeking bail in the case during the appearance on Saturday, December 19, legal sources in the party told India TV that the legal team may seek exemption from further appearance in court in the high-profile case. “The stage for bail application has not come yet as the case is in its initial stage,” the source said.
However, Sonia and Rahul's counsels could seek exemption from further personal appearance. “(There is) no need for bail but we will ask for exemption from further personal appearance. We will need to give personal bonds for this which we will give. In this bond, we need to give assurance to the court that we will appear whenever asked by court,” the source said.
Congress party had earlier planned a massive show of strength on Saturday. Party MPs and youth workers were asked to be present in large numbers at the Patiala House Court. Sources said the party wanted to display support for both Sonia and Rahul, who were said to be ready to 'to go to jail to prove their innocence' rather than apply for bail.
However, senior party leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad today dismissed suggestions that the AICC has asked partymen to converge in the national capital on that day as a mark of solidarity with the leadership.
"No one has been asked to come to Delhi," he said, adding though that party MPs in both houses have been asked to be in Delhi till the winter session concludes on December 23. Congress state chiefs and even Congress chief ministers are expected to be present and march from the Congress headquarters to the court premises on Saturday, when the Gandhis appear in court in the case.
The change in strategy is believed to be based upon an understanding that the party did not want to convey the message that it was trying to exert any form of pressure on the judiciary in this case.
The case has arisen out of a private criminal complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. Earlier today, Swamy said he will be writing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to impose AFSPA in New Delhi on December 19, when Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul make an appearance.
The Sections under which BJP's Swamy has alleged the Gandhis be implicated include cheating (Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, or IPC), a non-bailable offence; criminal breach of trust (Section 406 of the IPC); and misappropriation of funds – also a non-bailable offence.
If the accused does not seek bail or is denied bail by the court, they could be arrested.
