The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Allahabad High Court to defer the hearing of a case involving allegations of disproportionate assets against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Bar and Bench reported.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant also told the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate not to file any report in response to directions by the High Court.

The High Court had in May directed both agencies to verify claims made by a Bharatiya Janata Party worker S Vignesh Shishir that Gandhi possesses assets disproportionate to his income, Bar and Bench reported. In July, the High Court directed the CBI to file a fresh affidavit explaining the status of its inquiry, saying that the agency’s earlier submission did not make the progress of the case clear.

Gandhi had challenged the directions before the Supreme Court.

On Monday, the bench headed by the chief justice said that the High Court appeared to have passed orders without giving the leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha the opportunity of a hearing.

“Suppose somebody commits murders, etc police does not need permission,” Kant was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench. “But what appears to us is, subject to the assistance provided to us from both sides, if the court wants to issue a direction, the courts are expected to follow the principle of natural justice.”

The Supreme Court also said that if any agency knew about alleged disproportionate assets being held by any person, it could proceed on its own and would not need court orders, PTI reported.

“If it is so serious, why has your agency kept quiet?” Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who was representing the CBI. “Do you need a direction from the court…Have you taken any suo motu action? No, right?”

Lawyer Kapil Sibal, appearing for Gandhi, questioned whether Shishir, the complainant, had the legal standing to file a petition before the High Court, PTI reported.

“This is absolutely unknown to law,” Sibal told the court. “This is a witch-hunt process, which is not recognised by law. This is most unfortunate. Attempts after attempt are being made by this very petitioner.”

Shishir has also filed a separate petition before the Allahabad High Court alleging that Gandhi is a British citizen.

In April, the High Court had ordered a first information report to be registered against the Congress leader in the case. However, it stayed the directive a day later.

Edited by Nachiket Deuskar.

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