National Herald case: SC allows I-T to continue tax reassessment of Sonia, Rahul Gandhi

The bench, however, ordered that the I-T team can take up reassessment only after the court hears Gandhis’ petition against the Delhi High Court judgment that had allowed the tax probe. The court also said it is not expressing any opinion on the merits of pleas filed by the Gandhis. The next hearing in the matter is on January 8, 2018. Congress leader Oscar Fernandes, too, has filed an appeal in the matter.

The I-T probe against the Congress leaders stems from an investigation into a complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy before a court in connection with the National Herald case.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the I-T department, said the court should not restrain it from implementing the assessment orders against the Gandhis and others. He said the court should hear the matter and pass appropriate orders.

Swamy had alleged that Young Indian Pvt Ltd (YIL), which had Sonia and Rahul on its board of directors, had “taken over” the assets of the defunct print media outlet in a “malicious” manner to gain profit and assets worth over Rs 2,000 crore. Apart from the Gandhis, Congress leader Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, journalist Suman Dubey and technocrat Sam Pitroda were also named in the case.