Judge grants bail to Sonia, Rahul

National Herald case: Next hearing on Feb. 20

New Delhi, Dec. 19 : Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi were granted bail after minutes of the beginning of the hearing in the National Herald case on Saturday.The bail was granted on Rs 50,000 personal bond and one surety each.Subramanian Swamy demanded bailable warrant against Sam Pitroda for non appearance and also opposed bail for the Gandhis.The Gandhis along with the other accused in the National Herald case will appear before Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen in response to summons issued against them. They have been summoned by the trial court on prima facie charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and dishonest misappropriation of property under relevant sections of the law.Congress MLA V.S. Rathore will however represent Sam Pitroda in the court today. Pitroda is unwell and undergoing treatment in the United States.The National Herald newspaper was closely associated with India’s freedom struggle and the Indian National Congress till 2008. In January 2008, discussions about its closure began. On 1 April 2008, the paper’s editorial announced that it was temporarily suspending operations. Before its closure, the paper was being run by Associated Journals Limited (AJL).