Supreme Court Halts Asset Probe Against Rahul Gandhi

The Supreme Court of India ordered the Allahabad High Court on August 17, 2026, to halt proceedings in a disproportionate assets case against Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The apex court further directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to refrain from submitting any reports to the high court regarding the matter.

The intervention follows a challenge by Gandhi against a Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. That court had previously ordered the CBI and ED to verify allegations of disproportionate assets and dual citizenship filed by S Vignesh Shishir, a BJP worker. The Allahabad High Court had expressed dissatisfaction with the CBI's initial response and demanded a fresh affidavit from a senior officer detailing the probe's progress.

Gandhi's legal team described the proceedings as a "witch-hunt" and criticized the high court for conducting in-chamber hearings under sealed cover without allowing Gandhi to be heard. Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized that courts must follow the "principles of natural justice" when issuing directions for inquiry. The Supreme Court has deferred the high court's next hearing, originally scheduled for August 20, until the apex court resolves the challenge.