The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Monday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that alleged Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, holds dual citizenship of India and the United Kingdom.
BJP Worker Filed Petition Citing Ineligibility
BJP worker S Vignesh Shishir from Karnataka filed the PIL, arguing that Gandhi’s alleged British citizenship renders him ineligible to contest elections under Article 84(A) of the Constitution, which outlines the qualifications for membership in Parliament.
Court Seeks Government Response
During the hearing, the Court directed the Central Government to present details of any action taken in response to the citizenship claims.
Following the government’s submission, the Court decided to dismiss the case.
Earlier Hearing Saw Court’s Dissatisfaction With MHA Report
In a previous hearing, the bench expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for failing to directly confirm Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship status.
The Court gave the government ten days to file a revised report that explicitly addressed the issue.
Background Of Allegations Against Rahul Gandhi
The controversy dates back to 2019, when the MHA issued a notice to Gandhi after receiving a complaint from then Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy.
Swamy alleged that Gandhi served as a Director and Secretary of a UK-based company named Backops Limited, registered in 2003.
Swamy’s Claims Of British Nationality On Rahul Gandhi
Swamy claimed that Gandhi had declared himself a British national in documents related to the company.
According to Swamy, the company’s Annual Returns filed in 2005 and 2006 listed Gandhi’s date of birth as June 19, 1970, and his nationality as British.
The same declaration reportedly appeared in the company’s dissolution application filed on February 17, 2009.
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