ED Free To Act If Illegality Found During Probe Into Disproportionate Assets Complaint Against Rahul Gandhi: Allahabad High Court
LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK
22 July 2026 10:00 AM IST
The Allahabad High Court on Monday observed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is not helpless and may proceed strictly in accordance with the law if its probe into a complaint alleging 'disproportionate assets' against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi reveals any "misdeed or illegal act".
Simultaneously, observing that the affidavit filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) lacked clarity, the Court directed the agency to file a fresh affidavit in the matter.
Perusing affidavits submitted by CBI, ED and the petitioner in person, the bench of Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Brij Raj Singh observed
"The counter affidavit of C.B.I. does not appear to be a counter affidavit in terms of earlier order. Even we are unable to understand about the progress of the investigation done by the C.B.I. Therefore, on the next date the counter affidavit of C.B.I. shall be filed in terms of earlier order and the deponent of that counter affidavit would be Joint Director / Head of Zone, ACHQ Zone, CBI, New Delhi".
On the previous occasion, the Court had directed the CBI and ED to file separate affidavits disclosing the progress on the complaint of the petitioner against Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi alleging 'disproportionate assets'.
However, being unsatisfied with the affidavit filed by CBI, the Court directed it to file a fresh affidavit and to disclose any further progress made in the investigation.
Regarding the affidavit filed by ED, the Court observed that
"The perusal of the counter affidavit of E.D. reveals that the required steps have been taken by the E.D. and it is needless to say that if during investigation in the matter in question some relevant information is received supported with the material and documents the E.D. may do the needful strictly in accordance with law inasmuch as if any misdeed or illegal act has been noticed by the E.D., they may not be helpless in proceeding further by following the due procedure of law".
The case is next listed on 28.08.2026.
