The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Income Tax department to re-open the tax assessments of the Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald case for the financial year 2011-2012.
However, SC has asked the I-T team to take up re-assessment only after the court hears Gandhis’ petition against the Delhi HC judgment that had allowed the investigation. The court also clarified that it is not expressing any opinion on the merits of pleas filed by the Gandhis. The next hearing is on January 8, 2018. Congress leader Oscar Fernandes has also filed a petition in the matter.
This case gained limelight after a complaint was filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy before a court alleging 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.
Also other veteran Congress leaders namely Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, journalist Suman Dubey and technocrat Sam Pitroda were also named in the case.
SC said it was willing to give two options to the department – either issue a notice and in the meanwhile, an assessing officer can go ahead but the final order will not be given effect, or to hear the matter and decide finally.