Argus News - Allahabad HC Orders Probe in Rahul Gandhi Dual Citizenship Row

Lucknow, Apr 17: The Allahabad High Court has directed Uttar Pradesh Police to conduct an inquiry and consider registering an FIR in connection with allegations of dual citizenship against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Justice Subhash Vidyarthi issued the order on a petition filed by Karnataka resident S. Vignesh Shishir, a BJP worker, who challenged a January 28 ruling of a special MP/MLA court in Lucknow. The lower court had rejected his plea seeking an FIR against Gandhi, stating it was not competent to decide matters relating to citizenship.

The High Court’s Lucknow Bench observed that the allegation of Gandhi holding dual citizenship warranted investigation. The petitioner has claimed possession of documents and emails from the British government that allegedly prove Gandhi is a British citizen, thereby making him ineligible to contest elections in India or serve as a Member of Parliament from Rae Bareli.

BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir has sought action under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Official Secrets Act, the Foreigners Act, and the Passport Act. His complaint was initially filed before a special MP/MLA court in Rae Bareli before being transferred to the Lucknow Bench in December 2025.

The controversy has also drawn sharp political reactions. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently attacked Gandhi, questioning the transparency of his foreign travels. “Before making allegations against others, Rahul Gandhi should be transparent about his own passport and his foreign visits. I am ready to put my passport and my entire family’s passports before the press. Let Rahul Gandhi do the same,” Sarma said.

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He further challenged Gandhi to publicly address the allegations that have persisted for over a decade, adding that “a person who makes allegations must also be prepared to answer questions.”

The High Court’s directive has reignited debate over Gandhi’s citizenship status, a matter that has surfaced repeatedly in political discourse. With the police now tasked to probe and consider filing an FIR, the issue is expected to intensify scrutiny on the Congress leader’s eligibility and transparency as a public representative.