New Delhi: The Allahabad High Court has ordered an investigation into allegations that Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi holds dual citizenship, escalating a politically sensitive controversy with significant implications.
The Lucknow bench of the High Court directed that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered against Gandhi and instructed authorities to either conduct the probe independently or hand it over to a central agency. The directive comes after a petition challenged an earlier order by a special MP/MLA court in Lucknow, which had called for the registration of an FIR on January 28.
The petition, filed by a BJP worker, claims that Gandhi possesses British citizenship and submitted purported documentary evidence, including records from the UK government and corporate filings. According to the petitioner, these documents indicate that Gandhi was listed as a British national in filings of a UK-based company and had provided a London address in official records, triggering questions about his citizenship status.
The matter reached the High Court after the lower court observed that it lacked jurisdiction to decide on citizenship-related issues. Under Indian law, dual citizenship is not permitted, making the allegations particularly serious. If proven, the claims could have far-reaching consequences for Gandhi’s political position, including his eligibility to serve as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The case has now taken a dramatic turn with the High Court’s intervention, pushing the issue into the domain of formal investigation. With directions to register an FIR and initiate a probe, the controversy surrounding Gandhi’s citizenship is set to intensify, potentially opening a new flashpoint in the country’s already charged political landscape.