National Herald case: Govt says stand vindicated, Congress to appeal in SC

The government on Friday said that its stand has been vindicated by the Delhi High Court order directing Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), publisher of Congress mouth piece National Herald, to vacate its premises here within two weeks.
In a statement, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry noted that there is no impediment in the way of the government to invoke the provisions of Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971 in case AJL does not voluntarily vacate the premises and hands over possession to the government by January 3, 2019.

The High Court on Friday dismissed the AJL's plea challenging the Centre's order to vacate the Herald House in ITO area in the heart of the national capital, and termed the allegations of mala fide against the BJP government at the Centre as "preposterous" "By this decision, the court has vindicated the stand of the government on this issue," the ministry's statement said.

"It (court) has further ordered that there is no impediment in the way of the government to invoke the provisions of PP Act to seek eviction of petitioners, in case they do not voluntarily vacate the premises and hand over its vacant possession to the government within a period of two weeks by January 3, 2019," the ministry said.

According to the statement, it was also observed that instead of using the land given to AJL for Press purpose, they are earning a "huge sum of money by renting out almost the entire building except one floor which has negated the purpose for which the land was originally allotted".

The High Court said AJL will have to vacate the premises at ITO here within two weeks after which proceedings under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971 would be initiated.
The AJL had opposed the Centre's stand, saying that publication of web editions began in 2016 and the issue of absence of printing press on the premises was not raised then.

It had said the government kept silent till April 2018 when it again sent a notice for inspection in which it had said that it was coming to check breaches mentioned in notice of October 10, 2016. 

Congress reaction: 

The Congress Friday said it will appeal against the Delhi High Court order in the National Herald case and expressed confidence that it will get full justice in the Supreme Court, saying there is nothing illegal or against the law in the matter.

The Delhi High Court Friday ordered Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), publisher of Congress mouth piece National Herald, to vacate within two weeks its premises here, holding there was no mala fide in the Centre's eviction order. 

Congress leader Jaiveer Shergill said the court findings are not final and the Congress and other parties concerned are within their right to appeal against it.

"The high court order has come. It is a legal case and the Congress and other parties involved in the case have a constitutional right to appeal, which we will exercise. We have a very strong case in AJL and there is nothing illegal or against the law in the case and we are confident of getting complete justice in the higher court.

"The court's findings and observation is not final. The parties have all rights to appeal against the court findings. The final finding is of the Supreme court of India. We are confident that since we have a strong case and on the basis of facts and evidence, the final victory will be of the AJL," Shergill told reporters when asked about the court verdict.