Tezzbuzz Desk- Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has got a big relief from the Supreme Court in the case related to allegations of disproportionate assets. The Supreme Court, while hearing Rahul Gandhi's petition on Monday, put an interim stay on the next hearing to be held in Allahabad High Court. The next hearing of this case in the High Court was proposed on August 20.
Along with this, the Supreme Court has also given important instructions to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court said that both the agencies should not present any report related to the investigation being conducted under the orders of Allahabad High Court before the High Court or any other authority.
Question raised on High Court order
The Supreme Court prima facie held that the Allahabad High Court did not follow the principles of natural justice in the case. On this basis, the Supreme Court has put an interim stay on the upcoming hearing of the High Court.
The court has asked the Allahabad High Court to postpone the hearing scheduled for August 20 till the next hearing of the Supreme Court. After this order, the High Court proceedings in this case against Rahul Gandhi will not proceed further.
What is the issue of disproportionate assets?
The allegations related to disproportionate assets against Rahul Gandhi were filed by Karnataka BJP worker Vignesh Shishir. The complainant alleges that Rahul Gandhi has more assets than his declared income. On the basis of this complaint the matter reached Allahabad High Court. The High Court had said during the hearing in May that if serious allegations have been made in the complaint, then their veracity should be investigated.
The High Court had given freedom to CBI and ED to take appropriate action as per law. Also, both the central investigating agencies were asked to inform the court about the progress made in the investigation.
Rahul Gandhi challenged in Supreme Court
Rahul Gandhi approached the Supreme Court against this order of Allahabad High Court. His petition challenged the High Court order which had given permission to the CBI and ED to investigate the allegations of disproportionate assets leveled against him.
During the hearing held on Monday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared in the court on behalf of Rahul Gandhi. He also raised questions on the role of the complainant. Kapil Sibal alleged that the petitioner is associated with RSS and has filed several petitions with the aim of defaming Rahul Gandhi.
What will happen next now?
Following the interim order of the Supreme Court, the hearing scheduled to be held on August 20 in Allahabad High Court has been put on hold for the time being. Also, CBI and ED have been barred from presenting any report related to the investigation before any authority.
Now the next hearing of the Supreme Court in this matter will be important. The court will further decide whether the stay on the Allahabad High Court order will continue or the proceedings in the case will proceed. At present, the Supreme Court order is being considered as a big interim relief for Rahul Gandhi.