Rahul Gandhi Moves Supreme Court Against Allahabad HC Orders For CBI, ED Verification Of Disproportionate Assets Complaint

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has approached the Supreme Court challenging the orders of the Allahabad High Court directing the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate to verify the allegations levelled by a BJP worker that Gandhi was holding assets disproportionate to his income.

The Congress leader has challenged the orders of the Allahabad High Court, which directed the CBI and the ED to verify the complaint raised by Karnataka-based BJP worker Vignesh Shishir. The High Court, in its order passed in May, observed,"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 C.B.I. or E.D. may take appropriate steps which are permissible under the law."

The High Court then directed the agencies to apprise the Court of the progress. In the subsequent order passed on July 20, the High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the CBI's affidavit, saying that it was not in terms of its earlier direction. The Court further observed that the ED has taken the required steps, and said that the ED can take the necessary legal action if it receives any information during the investigation. The High Court then posted the matter for further consideration on August 20.

Gandhi has also filed a separate transfer petition in the Supreme Court seeking the transfer of the matter from the Allahabad High Court to the Delhi High Court.

Both petitions, filed on August 7, will be considered by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana on August 17.