Allahabad HC Orders Union Home Ministry to Report on Rahul Gandhi's Citizenship by May 5
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Synopsis
The Allahabad High Court has asked the Union Home Ministry to report by May 5 on whether Rahul Gandhi holds British citizenship, a matter that could affect his parliamentary status. This follows a PIL alleging dual citizenship, filed by BJP member S. Vignesh Shishir.
Key Takeaways
- Allahabad HC has ordered a report from MHA.
- Gandhi's potential dual citizenship is under scrutiny.
- Indian law prohibits holding dual citizenship.
- PIL filed by BJP member S. Vignesh Shishir.
- Next hearing set for May 5.
Lucknow, April 21 (NationPress) In a case that could significantly affect the Parliament membership of Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, the Allahabad High Court has instructed the Union Home Ministry to submit a report by May 5 regarding the potential British citizenship of the Congress leader.
This issue concerning Gandhi’s nationality could pose a challenge to his position as the MP from Rae Bareli, given that Indian law does not allow dual citizenship.
Last month, the Central Government informed the High Court that a petition requesting the cancellation of Gandhi's citizenship is currently under review.
This information was presented to a bench comprised of Justice Attau Rahman Masoodi and Justice Ajai Kumar Srivastava-I in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by BJP member and lawyer from Karnataka, S. Vignesh Shishir.
On Monday, the MHA submitted a status report in the High Court addressing issues raised by Shishir.
However, the Lucknow Bench expressed its dissatisfaction with the report's contents and requested that the attorney representing the Union government provide additional details.
The Union government's lawyer requested an extension of 10 days to file a revised status report, which the HC granted, rescheduling the next hearing for May 5.
The PIL regarding Gandhi's alleged dual citizenship was submitted in July of the previous year.
In his petition, Shishir called for the cancellation of Gandhi’s Indian citizenship and his disqualification from the Lok Sabha, asserting that only an Indian citizen can run for parliamentary elections.
The petitioner claims to have documents and emails to support his assertion that Gandhi possesses both Indian and British citizenship.
Shishir stated that he had approached the appropriate authorities, including the MHA, but received no satisfactory response.
He claimed that the PIL was his last option, as his previous requests to government authorities to investigate Gandhi's alleged citizenship violations were overlooked.
