What the National Herald case is and how it unfolded

From stalling Parliament to a continuous exchange of attacks and counter attacks, the Congress and the Central government have been at loggerheads on the National Herald case. While the Congress has been claiming that the action against the Gandhis is sheer political vendetta, the Bharatiya Janata Party has maintained that the government has no role to play in the proceedings in the case as it is a legal matter.

The issue has taken the country by storm but what is the National Herald case exactly?

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had filed a complaint before the trial court in 2012, alleging that Congress leaders were involved in cheating and breach of trust in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) by Young Indian Pvt Ltd (YIL), as assets worth crores of rupees had been transferred to YIL.

Swamy has alleged that YIL, which has Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi on its board of directors, had "taken over" over the assets of the defunct print media outlet in a "malicious" manner to gain profit and assets worth over Rs 2,000 crore. Apart from the Gandhis, Congress treasurer Motilal Vora, general secretary Oscar Fernandes, journalist Suman Dubey and technocrat Sam Pitroda were also named in the case.

Chronology in the National Herald case

January 2013: National Herald case filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, their companies and associated persons in a Delhi court.

June 26, 2014: Gandhi’s summoned as accused by a Delhi court in the criminal complaint for alleged cheating and misappropriation of funds in acquiring ownership of now-defunct daily National Herald.

January 12, 2015: Judge recuses from hearing Sonia and Rahul Gandhi's plea.

January 27: Supreme Court asks Swamy to make out a case for speedy trial in HC since petition cannot be heard directly.

Aug 1, 2015: Delhi HC issues notice to Swamy on a batch of petitions filed by Gandhis and others in the case seeking stay on summons issued for August 7.

Aug 6 : HC stays proceedings against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and others in the case.

Dec 15: HC extends stay till disposal of the appeals.

Dec 4: HC reserves order on pleas.

Dec 7: HC refuses to quash lower court's summons to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the case

Dec 8: Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Vice president Rahul Gandhi and others have been ordered by a Delhi court to appear on December 19

78 years journey of National Herald

Nehru’s paper: In 1938, Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) starts as a public company to Publish National Herald, a mouthpiece of Indian National Congress, it’s patronised by Jawaharlal Nehru.

Congress bailout: AJL shuts down in 2008 due to fund crunch, printing stops. Cong extended Rs 90 crore loan.

Enter the Gandhis: In November 2010, a private company called Young Indian (Y) is formed. Sonia and Rahul own 76% shares, rest owned by Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes.

Debt swap: YI board of directors offer to take over Rs 90 crore debt of AJL from Cong. AJL chairman and board agree.

Debt to equity: In 2010, AJL increases its share equity by allotting large chunk of shares to YI in Lieu of the debt owed to Congress. YI acquires complete control to AJL, including real estate assets of at least Rs 2,000 crore.

Swamy smells a rat: Subramanian Swamy files complaint in 2013, saying Gandhis siphoned off AJL’s public funds and acquired it illegally. A Delhi court summons Sonia, Rahul and others as accursed in June. Since then the case is sub-judice.