National Herald Case: In Major Setback To Gandhis, Publisher Asked To Vacate Headquarters Within Two Weeks

The Delhi High Court on Friday (21 December) upheld the Central government’s order instructing Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of Congress mouthpiece National Herald to vacate its Delhi headquarters within two weeks, Bar and Bench has reported.

In the event of the publisher failing to vacate “Herald House”, action could be initiated against it under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act.

The court in its ruling observed that “the dominant purpose” for leasing out the Herald House no longer existed. The court also ruled that AJL’s acquisition by Young India was done in a questionable manner.

It was reported in November that the Centre had started to evict AJL offices in Delhi but the court had then provided relief to the publisher by instructing that the status quo be maintained.

In 2011, a firm named Young India was established and it offered loans to AJL to settle its debts. In return, AJL would transfer all of its shares to the former. Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi are both rumoured to hold 38 per cent stake each in the company, Young India.

The IT department has stated the Congress President did not wilfully disclose his income derived from Young India for the AY 2011-2012.