From the court the Gandhis drove to the Congress headquarters where they made short statements. "I appeared in court with a clear conscience," said Sonia Gandhi, adding, "We are not going to be afraid. Our fight will continue...No one can eject the Congress party.

"The current government is purposely targeting political opponents using government agencies," the Congress chief also said.

Rahul Gandhi, who has alleged a "political vendetta," attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, "Modi ji makes false allegations and thinks the opposition will bend...The Congress and I will never bend."

The ruling BJP has rejected the charge of "political vendetta" and attacked the Congress with Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, saying, "Congress and corruption are made for each other. When we talk about Congress-free India, we mean corruption-free."

Four others - Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey - accused in the National Herald case were also been granted bail. The court has fixed February 20 as the next date of hearing.

Hearing in the case began today at 3 pm and had ended by 3.03 pm. Congress leader and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who appeared in court for the Gandhis, said the court has granted bail without imposing any restrictions.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who has filed the case, argued that the court should impose restrictions on the Gandhis' travel, but the judge did not agree.

Mr Sibal said one bail application was moved on behalf of all accused and they had furnish one surety of Rs 50,000 each. The Gandhis have not sought exemption from personal appearance at future hearings, said senior Congress leader and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Sonia and Rahul Gandhi made a political point as they arrived in court today, choosing not to use a special gate set aside for their cars to drive in. Both got off outside the court complex and walked in.