The Congress on Friday presented the Supreme Court’s decision on the National Herald case as a significant victory that “vindicates the position of the party and its leadership.”
Speaking to The Hindu , former Law Minister and the member of the party’s legal team, Ashwani Kumar, said that he has “full faith” in the integrity of the judicial process. “I am fully confident that in a fair trial the innocence of the Congress leadership will be fully established.”
A Supreme Court Bench led by Justice J.S. Khehar “expunged” the striking observations previously made by the Delhi High Court that accused Congress leadership, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, of “criminal intent” prior to the trial. The Bench also exempted the Gandhis from appearing in future court proceedings.
However, the BJP termed the Supreme Court order as “a slap on the face” of the Congress leadership since it did not reverse the criminal proceedings against them before the lower court.
On the exemptions from appearing in future proceedings, the party said it was “conditional” as the Gandhis can be summoned whenever the court wishes to.
It’s a big blow, says BJP“It is a big blow [to the Congress] and a slap on the face of those who had gone to the court with a plea that the case be quashed. The apex court has maintained that they will face trial as accused in the case,” said the party national secretary, Shrikant Sharma.
