Following is the chronology of events in the National Herald eviction case in which the Delhi High Court Friday directed its publisher Associated Journals Limited (AJL) to vacate the premises in the national capital within two weeks:
- Nov 20, 1937: AJL incorporated.
- Sept 9, 1938: National Herald founded by Jawahar Lal Nehru.
- 1962-63: Land measuring 0.3365 acres allotted to AJL on Delhi-Mathura Road at 5-A, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, near ITO.
- Jan 10, 1967: Perpetual lease deed executed in AJL's favour by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) for construction of building to run a Press and no other purpose.
- 2002: The then All India Congress Committee treasurer Motilal Vora appointed as CMD.
- Nov, 2010: Young Indian incorporated with capital of Rs 50 lakh.
- Dec: AJL makes book entry in accounts by substituting YI in place of AICC as entity entitled to recover Rs 90 crore debt. Right to recover debt assigned to YI for just Rs 50 lakh.
- Entire control of AJL vested with Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vohra and Oscar Fernandes. - 2011: YI acquires beneficial interest in AJL's property worth Rs 413 crore
- Jan 7, 2013: L&DO permits AJL to use basement and any one floor of the building for the Press and offices and remaining floors could be let out for commercial concerns.
- Oct 5, 2016: Breach notice issued by L&DO to AJL as no Press was functioning from the premises for years and was being used mainly for commercial purposes through sub-letting to various organisations.
- Apr 9, 2018: Inspection conducted by L&DO at premises in Vora's presence.
- June 18: Show-cause notice issued to AJL.
- July 17: AJL replies to show-cause notice.
- Sept 24: Another show-cause notice to AJL on finding additional violations.
- Oct 9: AJL replies to second show-cause notice.
- Oct 30: L&DO issues eviction order to AJL and asks it to vacate premises by Nov 15.
- Nov 12: AJL moves Delhi High Court challenging eviction order.
- Nov 15: HC directs Centre to maintain status quo.
- Nov 22: HC reserves order on AJL's plea.
- Dec 21: HC directs AJL to vacate premises within two weeks by dismissing its petition.
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