Sonia's election issue: SC issues notice to Centre

New Delhi, Apr 16: The Supreme Court today decided to examine whether a person of foreign origin or a naturalised citizen can hold a constitutional post in the country.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran issued notices to the Centre and the Election Commission on a petition challenging the Delhi High Court judgement dismissing a petition challenging the election of Congress president Sonia Gandhi as a Member of Parliament (MP).

Senior counsel P N Lekhi, appearing for the petitioner organisation Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, submitted before the court that the constitution does not have any provision permitting a foreigner to hold a constitutional post in India, which includes the post of prime minister.

The CJ remarked, ''As of now, there is no constitutional bar against a foreigner who has taken the citizenship of India in holding a constitutional post, and it is for the electorate to decide whether such a person should be elected or not. However, since the petition raises some important issues relating to the constitution, we will examine the whole issue.''

UNI