The Supreme Court on Monday granted three weeks for completion of pleadings in Rahul Gandhi’s challenge to Allahabad High Court proceedings seeking a CBI and ED probe into allegations that he possesses assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The Court directed that the matter be listed after three weeks and ordered that the existing interim direction would continue. The matter was heard by Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana.
The Supreme Court had earlier intervened in the proceedings, directing that the High Court matter remain deferred and restraining the CBI and Enforcement Directorate from submitting reports pursuant to the High Court’s directions.
During Monday’s hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought two weeks’ time to file his reply. Vignesh Shishir informed the Bench that he had filed his detailed counter the previous evening. Sibal and the Solicitor General, however, pointed out that the counter was not yet on the Supreme Court’s record, although copies had been served on them the previous night.
The Court noted that Respondent No. 1 had already filed his counter and directed that the remaining responses be filed within three weeks. The matter was ordered to be listed after three weeks, with the interim order continuing.
During the hearing, Shishir also sought permission for his application seeking enhancement of security arrangements to be considered by the Allahabad High Court. He submitted that he was presently under witness protection and requested that the High Court be permitted to hear the application to that limited extent.
The Supreme Court, however, indicated that such a plea will be taken after 3 weeks, when the matter is listed.