Ahead of the scheduled appearance of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi in connection with the National Herald case at Patiala House District Courts Complex on Saturday, Delhi Police has beefed up the security in and around the premises.
Officers on Friday said that the enhanced security was keeping in mind that the mother-son duo feature in the list of Special Protection Group (SPG) protected VIPs.
“We also have to be ready in case there are protests or even supporters gather in large numbers,” said a senior police officer. He, however, added that though increased, the scale of deployment is not very high and Delhi Police’s men would be twice than on other days. Citing security issues, he refused to divulge the exact number of deployment.
Teams from SPG have already conducted reconnaissance of the court premises and had meetings with the Delhi Police officers to chalk out an overall security plan.
None of the Central Police forces except the Central Reserve Police Force have been called. The police said they are aware that there could be traffic issues considering the court has two busy India Gate C-Hexagon roads on either side.
Meanwhile, extra security has also been provided to the petitioner in the case, former Union Minister Subramanian Swamy. The Government has decided to allot government accommodation to Mr. Swamy on security considerations.
Sources informed that CCA has taken into consideration that Mr. Swamy is a Z-category protectee with CRPF cover and there is no place at his present place of residence for deployment of armed guards.
His security is being reviewed from time to time by the Security Categorisation Committee in the Ministry of Home Affairs. As per security threat assessment carried out by central security agency, there is a need felt for proper government accommodation for him for effective deployment of security and accordingly has recommended government accommodation for five years.
He will have to pay five times the normal license fee.
National Herald Case
- What - Subramanian Swamy, the then Janata Party president, >knocked the court's door raising questions over acquisition of a company that published the now-defunct National Herald newspaper to which Congress gave a loan of over Rs 90 crore.
- Who - Dr. Swamy alleged that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had floated a Section 25 company called ‘Young Indian’, which acquired Associated Journals, founded by late Jawaharlal Nehru, that published the National Herald and Quami Awaz .
- How - Dr. Swamy >claimed it was illegal for Congress, a political party, to give loans for commercial purposes. Young Indian wrote off the loans due to Congress for a mere Rs 50 lakh and by a board resolution, the Associate Journals is sold by transfer of shares to Young Indian, which is not a newspaper or journal producing company.
- Why - The deal, Dr. Swamy alleged, was to grab prized property like Herald House in Delhi and other properties of the Associated Journals in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
- Then - Rahul Gandhi >threatened legal action against Dr. Swamy. Congress challenged Dr. Swamy to prove his allegations in a court of law. As Dr. Following Dr. Swamy's plea, a Delhi court >ordered the Gandhis to appear before it on August 7, which was >challenged in High Court.
- Next Sonia Gandhi, son Rahul Gandhi and others are directed to appear in person on December 19 by a Delhi court on Tuesday.
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