Investigations – Allahabad High Court Defers Hearing on Rahul Gandhi Asset Plea
Investigations – The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday postponed the hearing of a petition seeking an investigation into the alleged disproportionate assets of Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. The matter will now be taken up on May 12.
Hearing Conducted in Judges’ Chamber
The case was heard by a division bench comprising Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Zafeer Ahmad. In an unusual procedural step, the judges conducted the proceedings inside their chamber instead of holding an open court hearing.
The bench also directed that all documents connected to the petition be placed in a sealed cover and kept under the custody of the Senior Registrar of the High Court. According to the court’s order, the sealed documents will be reopened only during the next scheduled hearing.
The judges instructed the Senior Registrar to produce the case file before the bench on May 12 at 2:15 pm for further proceedings in chambers.
Petition Filed by Karnataka BJP Worker
The writ petition was filed by Karnataka-based BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir. The plea was submitted before the Lucknow Bench on April 25, 2026, while the matter came up for its first hearing earlier this week.
In the petition, the complainant alleged that Rahul Gandhi accumulated significant assets from undisclosed sources and requested the court to direct a detailed investigation into the matter.
Several central and state agencies have been named as respondents in the case. These include the Government of India, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Uttar Pradesh Police, and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).
Court Orders Safe Custody of Records
Before the hearing began, the petitioner also filed a separate application requesting the court to ensure safe preservation of all records connected with the writ petition.
Taking note of the request, the bench ordered that the complete set of documents submitted in the case should remain sealed and securely stored. The court further clarified that the seal would only be opened by the Bench Secretary during the next listing of the case.
The move highlighted the court’s cautious handling of the sensitive documents attached to the matter.
Agencies Seek Additional Time
The hearing was eventually adjourned after lawyers representing the central and state agencies requested additional time to obtain written instructions from their respective departments.
During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel reportedly presented arguments in detail before the bench. Following this, counsels appearing for the government agencies sought a brief adjournment to prepare official responses.
Accepting the request, the court deferred further proceedings until May 12.
The development has drawn political and legal attention due to the involvement of senior political figures and multiple investigative agencies. However, the court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations at this stage, and the matter remains under judicial consideration.