Income Tax Assessment Case: Next hearing on the petition of Gandhi family and AAP on November 28

New Delhi (Uttam Hindu News): The Supreme Court will next hear the petition of Gandhi family and AAP in the Income Tax Assessment case on November 28. Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and several charitable trusts had challenged the decision to transfer income tax assessment to the central circle of income tax. Justice Khanna and Justice S.N.V. Bhatti’s bench has adjourned the hearing till November 28.

Referring to petitions filed by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra against the transfers on October 3, the top court said central assessment may be required if there are cross-transactions between individuals. Senior advocate Arvind Datar, appearing for the Gandhi family and the trusts associated with them, said that due to the searches in the fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari case, the IT officials have tagged all these as supplementary cases because of Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra.

The Gandhi family has said that they have nothing to do with the affairs of the Bhandari Group and there have been no incidents of search or seizure in their affairs. Bhandari is wanted in India on corruption and money laundering charges. He is reportedly linked to Robert Vadra over a flat in London. However, Robert Vadra has denied any business dealings with Bhandari.

Justice Khanna also questioned senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for AAP, as to why there was a delay of five months in filing the writ petitions. The court also said that there must be some justification for doing away with faceless assessment and the bench was considering only legal matters. Was concerned with the issue, not politics.

Earlier on May 26, the Delhi High Court had dismissed pleas by AAP, the Gandhi family and five trusts challenging the Income Tax Department’s orders to shift their tax assessments from faceless assessment to the central circle. The High Court bench ruled that there is no fundamental legal right to assessment under the faceless assessment scheme.