In its earlier order dated November 25, 2024, the court had directed the central government to disclose any action taken on a representation submitted to the Union home ministry, alleging that Gandhi holds British citizenship.
![[Rahul Gandhi Citizenship Row] Allahabad HC Grants Centre 8 Weeks to Respond, Scheduled Matter On March 24, 2025](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Citizenship.jpg?resize=800%2C459&ssl=1)
Allahabad: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Thursday (19th Dec) extended the deadline for the central government to respond to a petition concerning Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s alleged British citizenship.
The order was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Jaspreet Singh on a petition filed by advocate and Karnataka BJP leader S Vignesh Shishir.
The court scheduled the matter for further hearing on March 24, 2025.
In its earlier order dated November 25, 2024, the court had directed the central government to disclose any action taken on a representation submitted to the Union home ministry, alleging that Gandhi holds British citizenship.
However, the government failed to provide the required response within the set timeframe, prompting its counsel to seek additional time. The court granted the extension, allowing the response to be filed by March 24, 2025, as confirmed by intervener counsel Ashok Pandey.
It is worth mentioning that the petitioner, Vignesh, has already filed a detailed representation-cum-complaint with the Foreigners Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. In this submission, he has requested the cancellation of Rahul Gandhi’s Indian citizenship. The representation has been submitted in accordance with Section 9(2) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, read with Rule 40(2) and Schedule III of the Citizenship Rules, 2009.
The petitioner sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Gandhi’s citizenship issue.
In his Public Interest Litigation (PIL), petitioner Vignesh contends that after his initial plea was dismissed by the High Court, he submitted a comprehensive representation to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, which remains unresolved. His PIL also asserts that he conducted thorough investigations, gathered new information, and contacted the UK government via emails to inquire about the citizenship records of Rahul Gandhi.
Vignesh’s petition argues that this email constitutes a clear admission of Gandhi’s UK citizenship. Consequently, the PIL requests a thorough investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), including a Letter of Rogatory from a competent Indian court to obtain relevant records from the UK government. The plea also demands directions to the Chief Election Commissioner, Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, and the Returning Officer of Raebareli to revoke Gandhi’s electoral certificate.
Earlier, in July 2024, the court had permitted Shishir to withdraw a similar petition, advising him to explore legal remedies under the Citizenship Act. Following this, Shishir submitted two representations to the Union home ministry, requesting the revocation of Gandhi’s Indian citizenship based on the alleged British citizenship claim.
Additionally, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court concerning Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship.
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