Allahabad High Court Asks Centre for Update on Rahul Gandhi's Citizenship Allegations

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has inquired if the central government has made any decision regarding a representation under the Citizenship Act, 1955. This representation questions whether Congress leader Rahul Gandhi holds British citizenship. The inquiry arose during a hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by S Vignesh Shishir, a BJP worker from Karnataka.

The court, comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Om Prakash Shukla, has scheduled the next hearing for September 30. The petitioner claims to have conducted thorough investigations into Gandhi's alleged British citizenship, obtaining several new insights. He also asserts access to confidential emails from the UK government related to this issue.

Allegations of British Citizenship

The PIL suggests that these emails indicate the UK government possesses records of Gandhi's British nationality. However, it refuses to disclose details, citing personal data protection under the UK's Data Protection Act, 2018. The petitioner argues that without a signed letter of authority from Gandhi, this information cannot be shared.

In response to these allegations, the petitioner has requested a CBI investigation into Gandhi's purported British citizenship. He also mentioned filing a detailed statutory representation under section 92 of the Citizenship Act, urging the central government to investigate the matter. However, he claims no action has been taken so far.

Previous Plea and Current Developments

During the proceedings, the high court noted that a similar plea had been previously submitted by the petitioner but was later withdrawn. The withdrawal was made with permission to approach the competent authority again. Now, the petitioner states he has approached the Union Home Ministry seeking cancellation of Gandhi's alleged British citizenship.

The court has instructed Assistant Solicitor General of India, S B Pandey, to obtain instructions from the home ministry regarding this representation. This development marks a continuation of legal scrutiny over Gandhi's citizenship status.

The case highlights ongoing legal challenges faced by political figures in India. As it progresses, it will be closely watched for its implications on political accountability and transparency.