Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has moved the Supreme Court challenging a series of Allahabad High Court orders that directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to verify allegations against him in a disproportionate assets case.
The matter is scheduled to be heard by the apex court on August 17.
Gandhi’s plea challenges orders passed by the Allahabad High Court in a petition filed by Karnataka-based BJP worker S Vignesh Shishir.
The petitioner had sought a probe into Gandhi’s alleged assets and requested action by multiple central agencies, including the CBI and ED.
In its May order, the High Court directed the agencies to examine the complaint and verify the allegations in accordance with law. The bench observed that if the complaint had been received, the allegations could be verified and the agencies were free to take any steps permissible under law. It also sought updates on the progress made in the matter.
The case did not end there. During a subsequent hearing in July, the High Court expressed dissatisfaction with an affidavit filed by the CBI, saying it did not adequately explain the progress made on the complaint. The court then sought a clearer status report from the agency while noting that the ED had initiated the required steps. The matter remains pending before the High Court.
Apart from challenging the High Court’s directions, Gandhi has also filed a transfer petition before the Supreme Court seeking the transfer of the proceedings from the Allahabad High Court to the Delhi High Court. Both petitions are slated to come up before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, on Monday, August 17.