The Centre on the other hand, had argued that the lease for the premises was rightly determined after the ownership of AJL was “clandestinely” transferred to Young India in 2011. It was thus stated that the motive behind the transfer was to assign the “lucrative interest” in Herald House to Young India, which is controlled by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi.

It was also claimed by the Centre that the Herald House premises was being used by AJL only for the purpose of collecting rent from the sub-lessees, and not from the “bona fide purpose” of running a press from it.

AJL was represented by Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The Centre was represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. Read more…