The Supreme Court today allowed the Income Tax Department to proceed against Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi with re-opening of the tax assessment for the year 2011-12 in connection with the National Herald case. <br />''<br />''<br />''The apex court, however, restrained the I-T department from implementing its order in the proceedings against them till the pendency of the matter before the court. The court made it clear that it is not expressing any opinion on the merits of pleas filed by Mr Gandhi and his mother. <br />''<br />''<br />''They had challenged the Delhi High Court order refusing to give them relief in the 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.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">A bench headed by Justice A K Sikri posted the matter for further hearing on the 8th of January next year.</span><br />