Allahabad High Court Directs CBI, ED To Verify Complaint Alleging Disproportionate Assets Against Rahul Gandhi

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate to verify allegations raised in a complaint accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of possessing disproportionate assets beyond their known sources of income.

A division bench of 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 before the court.

The plea seeks an investigation by central agencies including the CBI, ED and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office into the allegations against Rahul Gandhi and his family.

This petition is separate from another petition moved by Shishir concerning Rahul Gandhi’s alleged dual citizenship.

During the hearing, the petitioner moved an impleadment application seeking to add the Union of India through the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, and the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance, as additional respondents in the case. He also sought permission to implead the Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, contending that the ministry was a necessary party to the proceedings.

Accepting the plea, the bench allowed the impleadment application and directed that the newly added authorities be arrayed as opposite parties 8, 9 and 10 during the course of the day.

Court also recorded that notice on behalf of the newly impleaded parties had been accepted by Central Government Counsel Raj Kumar Singh, dispensing with the requirement of issuing fresh notices.

Appearing for the CBI, advocate Anurag Kumar Singh informed the court, on the basis of instructions dated May 11, 2026 issued by Praveen Kumar, IPS, Superintendent of Police, CBI AC-II, New Delhi, that the petitioner’s complaint had already been received by the agency and a response would be filed within eight weeks. The instructions letter was taken on record by the court.

Counsel appearing for the ED similarly informed the bench, relying on instructions dated May 9, 2026 from Deputy Director Naveen Rana, that the agency had also received the petitioner’s complaint and would verify the allegations before apprising the court about further progress. Court also directed that the ED’s communication be taken on record.

Recording the submissions, the bench observed that once the complaint had been received, the allegations contained in it ought to be verified in accordance with law. Court further observed that the CBI and ED were free to take such steps as may be permissible under law.

The order further records that counsel representing the Serious Fraud Investigation Office sought time to file a counter affidavit responding to the allegations levelled against the agency in the writ petition.

The petitioner also defended the maintainability of the writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, relying on judicial precedents and case law to justify the reliefs sought in the petition. The bench observed that the issue would be examined after the respective parties filed their counter affidavits and rejoinders.

After hearing the parties, the high court granted eight weeks’ time to all respondents, including the newly impleaded authorities, to file their responses. The bench directed that the replies should also indicate the progress made regarding the complaint submitted by the petitioner to the concerned agencies.

Court additionally directed that the writ petition paper-book and loose documents supplied by the petitioner would continue to remain in sealed cover in terms of earlier orders. The records have been directed to remain in the safe custody of the Senior Registrar and are to be opened only on the next date of hearing.

The matter has now been listed on July 20, 2026 at 2:15 PM for further hearing in chamber proceedings.

Case Title: S. Vignesh Shishir vs. Director Central, Bureau Investigation New Delhi And Others

Order Date: May 12, 2026

Bench: Justices Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Zafeer Ahmad