Sonia, Rahul Gandhi summoned by Indian court over ‘misappropriation’ claims

Petitioner claims Congress leaders used party funds illegally to acquire The National Herald.

NEW DELHI: Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have been summoned by an Indian court for allegedly "misappropriating assets" of a newspaper, the BBC reported on Thursday.

Metropolitan magistrate Gomati Manocha has directed them to appear before the court on August 7.

The summons was issued on a private complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy.

According to the BBC, The National Herald newspaper, which ceased publication in 2008, was acquired by the Congress in 2010.

Swamy claimed that the Gandhis used party funds illegally to acquire the newspaper's properties.

However, a Congress spokesman said the allegations against the Gandhis were "completely false and motivated".