The Supreme Court Tuesday will hear final arguments on appeals filed by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in connection with the National Herald newspaper case.
The Supreme Court Tuesday will hear final arguments on appeals filed by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in connection with the National Herald newspaper case.
The Gandhis had challenged a Delhi High Court order which dismissed their pleas against the Income Tax Department’s decision to re-open their tax assessments for the financial year 2011-2012. 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.
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.
In the earlier hearing, a bench Justices A K Sikri and S A Nazeer observed that the matter needs “consideration”. The court said it was only concerned with the notice for reassessment, and the rest of the matter could be raised before the assessing officer. “Since respondent (Income Tax department) has put in appearance, we are not issuing a formal notice. However, we are fixing the matter for final arguments on December 4,” the bench said.
The court 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.
The Gandhis had challenged a Delhi High Court order which dismissed their pleas against the Income Tax Department’s decision to re-open their tax assessments for the financial year 2011-2012. 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.
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.
In the earlier hearing, a bench Justices A K Sikri and S A Nazeer observed that the matter needs “consideration”. The court said it was only concerned with the notice for reassessment, and the rest of the matter could be raised before the assessing officer. “Since respondent (Income Tax department) has put in appearance, we are not issuing a formal notice. However, we are fixing the matter for final arguments on December 4,” the bench said.
The court 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.