The Allahabad High Court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate to verify a complaint alleging that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi holds assets disproportionate to his known income, directing agencies to examine the accusations.
The Allahabad High Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to verify allegations made in a complaint claiming that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi possesses assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
A division bench comprising Justices Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Zafeer Ahmad passed the order on May 12 while hearing a criminal miscellaneous writ petition filed by S. Vignesh Shishir, who appeared in person.
The petition requests that central agencies specifically the CBI, ED, and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) investigate the allegations against Rahul Gandhi and members of his family.
The case is distinct from another petition filed by Shishir regarding Rahul Gandhi’s alleged dual citizenship.
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During the proceedings, the petitioner filed an impleadment application to add the Union of India through the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, and through the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance as additional respondents.
He also sought permission to implead the Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, arguing that the ministry was a necessary party to the proceedings.
Allowing the application, the bench permitted the newly added authorities to be impleaded as opposite parties 8, 9 and 10 on the same day. The court also recorded that Central Government counsel Raj Kumar Singh accepted notice on behalf of the newly impleaded parties, thereby waiving the need to issue fresh notices.
Appearing for the CBI, advocate Anurag Kumar Singh informed the court that, as per instructions dated May 11, 2026 issued by Praveen Kumar, IPS, Superintendent of Police, CBI AC-II, New Delhi, the petitioner’s complaint had already been received by the agency and a response would be submitted within eight weeks. The court took the instructions letter on record.
Counsel for the ED made a similar submission, stating that, based on instructions dated May 9, 2026 from Deputy Director Naveen Rana, the agency had also received the complaint and would verify the allegations before apprising the court of further developments.
The ED’s communication was also ordered to be taken on record.
After hearing the parties, the bench observed that once the complaint had been received, the allegations raised in it were required to be verified in accordance with law. The court further noted that the CBI and ED were free to take such steps as may be permissible under law.
The order also states that counsel for the SFIO sought time to file a counter affidavit addressing the allegations made against the agency in the writ petition.
The petitioner, meanwhile, defended the maintainability of the writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, citing judicial precedents and case law in support of the reliefs sought.
The bench indicated that the issue would be considered after the respective parties filed their counter affidavits and rejoinders. Following submissions from all sides, the court granted eight weeks’ time to all respondents including the newly impleaded authorities to file their responses.
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The bench directed that the replies should also set out the progress made in relation to the complaint submitted by the petitioner to the relevant agencies.
The court further ordered that the writ petition paper-book and the loose documents provided by the petitioner would remain in sealed cover as per earlier directions.
The records were directed to be kept in the safe custody of the Senior Registrar and to be opened only on the next date of hearing.
The case has now been listed for further hearing in chamber proceedings on July 20, 2026 at 2:15 PM.