Associate Journals Limited (AJL), has approached the Delhi High Court against the central government’s orders to vacate the premises they occupy in Delhi. AJL publishes Congress’ mouthpiece National Herald.
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Earlier this month the central government had sent a legal order to National Herald publishers to vacate the premises allotted to them at Press Enclave called the ‘Herald House’. The land at the prime location was reportedly allocated to National Herald at nominal rates for the publication of the newspaper. However, an investigation revealed that the building is rented out and no publication activity was going on.
On 30th October, Ministry of Urban Development had sent a notice to AJL stating that the decades-old lease is being ended and they are to vacate the premises before November 15. It also stated that the publishers would face action under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act,1971 if they fail to comply with the evacuation notice.
The AJL has termed the evacuation notice as ‘illegal and unconstitutional’. The plea challenging the evacuation order is scheduled to come up for hearing today before Justice Sunil Gaur, reported The Daily Pioneer.
It is notable here that Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi are facing charges for corruption and tax evasion after the firm Young Indian, allegedly controlled by them, took over AJL. The Income Tax department had imposed a 250 crore fine on Young Indian in 2017. BJP leader and legal activist Subramanian Swamy is the petitioner in the case.