The Allahabad High Court has directed the Union Home Ministry to resolve a contentious issue regarding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship by December 19. This stems from a petition alleging that Gandhi may hold British citizenship, a claim that has sparked legal and political debates.
The bench, comprising Justices Attau Rahman Masoodi and Subhash Vidyarthi, addressed the matter after being informed that the government had received a representation on the issue. Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey confirmed its active review, prompting the Court to request an update on the government’s findings at the next hearing.
The petitioner, S Vignesh Shishir, has also sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, claiming evidence that Gandhi holds British citizenship. The allegations are based on confidential emails reportedly shared by UK authorities, though full disclosure was withheld due to British data protection laws.
Previously, the petitioner had pursued similar claims, which were redirected by the Court to remedies under the Citizenship Act. After failing to obtain a reply from the Union Home Ministry, the matter was brought back to the Court. The focus remains on the government’s response to these representations rather than broader investigative demands.
Meanwhile, a parallel case addressing the same issue has been filed in the Delhi High Court by another political figure. The Delhi High Court awaits developments in the Allahabad proceedings before moving forward.
The December deadline is expected to bring a decisive update, as the Court seeks clarity on an issue with implications for Gandhi’s political future.
