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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Also Read: Pahalgam Attack: SC To Hear PIL Seeking More Security For Tourists In Hilly And Remote Areas
Chasing a modest target of 102, Phil Salt hammered a 23-ball fifty — his quickest…
The Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) has partnered with the Adani Group as its title sponsor…
PM Modi began his two-day visit to Bihar on Thursday. Thousands of supporters gave him…
For over three and a half years, litigants have suffered due to the lack of…
Josh Hazlewood returned to the RCB playing XI as skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss…
India’s aspiration to achieve self-sufficiency in aerospace manufacturing has gained significant momentum with the Tata…