Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has moved the Supreme Court against orders of the Allahabad High Court concerning allegations that he possesses assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Gandhi has challenged the High Court’s directions concerning allegations made by Karnataka-based BJP worker Vignesh Shishir. The complaint had raised claims about Gandhi’s alleged assets, following which the Allahabad High Court directed that the allegations be examined in accordance with the law.
In its May order, the High Court said that if the complaint had been received, the claims made in it could be verified through the appropriate legal process. It also observed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Enforcement Directorate (ED) could take steps available to them under the law.
The court had stated: “It is expected that if the complaint of the petitioner has been received, the allegations of the complaints may be verified as per law. It is needless to say that the CBI or ED may take appropriate steps which are permissible under the law.”
The High Court subsequently directed the investigating agencies to inform it about the progress made in the matter.
Allahabad HC questions CBI affidavit
The case came up again before the Allahabad High Court on July 20, when the court expressed dissatisfaction with an affidavit submitted by the CBI. The court observed that the affidavit did not comply with the directions issued in its earlier order.
At the same time, the High Court noted that the ED had taken the steps required in the matter.
The court further observed that the ED could initiate appropriate legal action if it came across relevant information during its investigation. The matter was then listed for further consideration on August 20.
Rahul Gandhi also seeks transfer of case
Gandhi has now approached the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad High Court’s orders. Alongside the challenge, he has filed a separate transfer petition seeking to move the proceedings from the Allahabad High Court to the Delhi High Court.
Both petitions were filed before the Supreme Court on August 7.
The matter is scheduled to come up for consideration on August 17 before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana.
The Supreme Court’s hearing will determine the next course of action in Gandhi’s challenge to the Allahabad High Court proceedings.
