The Supreme Court on November 4, 2018, allowed the Income Tax Department to reopen tax assessment of top Congress leaders Rahul and Sonia Gandhi for 2011-12 in connection with the National Herald case.

A Bench headed by Justice A.K. Sikri was hearing an appeal filed by Gandhis and senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes challenging the Delhi High Court’s September 10, 2018, verdict by which their plea against the re-opening of their tax assessments for 2011-12 was dismissed.

Hearing the matter, the Bench, however, restrained the I-T department from implementing its order in the proceedings against Rahul, who is the Congress president, and his mother Sonia till the pendency of the matter before the court.

The court also said that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the pleas filed by Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in the case.

The tax matter is related to the National Herald case in which the Congress leaders are also facing criminal proceedings.

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.

The Bench has posted the matter for further hearing on January 8, 2019.