Rahul Gandhi’s alleged British citizenship case has been reopened by the Allahabad High Court after new evidence was submitted through a review petition, adding a fresh dimension to the long-standing public interest litigation against him.
Sumitra Saha Prasad, a 60-year-old woman and the first in Bihar to receive citizenship under the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act, obtained her Indian citizenship after a 40-year wait. Her daughter Aishwarya facilitated the application process, resulting in the issuance of the citizenship certificate, bringing immense relief to Sumitra.
![[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=447%2C367&ssl=1)
The Allahabad High Court has extended the deadline for the central government to respond to a petition regarding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s alleged British citizenship. The government failed to respond by the previous deadline, prompting the court to allow a new deadline of March 24, 2025, for further proceedings.
Justice M.M. Sundresh, born on July 21, 1962, is a Supreme Court judge since August 31, 2021, with a retirement scheduled for January 5, 2025. He had a notable legal career, practicing at the High Court of Madras and serving as a Government Advocate. He efficiently disposed of over 103,000 cases during his tenure.
Justice Surya Kant, born on February 10, 1962, has served on the Supreme Court since May 24, 2019, and is set to retire on February 9, 2027. Notable for his 54 authored judgments, he previously held key legal positions including Advocate General of Haryana and Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh, contributing significantly to Indian law.
The Centre informed the Allahabad High Court that a plea regarding Rahul Gandhi’s alleged dual citizenship is “under process” and expected to be resolved by December 19. A petition has been filed asking for a CBI investigation into Gandhi’s citizenship status, questioning his eligibility for public office amid claims of British citizenship.
There is no scope for a liberal interpretation of the Citizenship Act of 1955 when it comes to granting Indian citizenship to foreign nationals, the Supreme Court recently observed. The top court set aside a Madras High Court ruling that said an unborn child of formerly Indian parents can claim Indian citizenship even if the parents have renounced theirs.
![[Citizenship Act] '4:1 Majority Verdict': SC Upholds Constitutionality of Section 6A Recognising Assam Accord](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/17-10-2024-11-25-38-973.jpeg?resize=447%2C367&ssl=1)
The Supreme Court Today (Oct 17) upheld the validity of a key citizenship rule that recognised the Assam Accord, granting citizenship to Bangladeshi refugees who had come to the state before 1971. Section 6A of the Citizenship Act was introduced in 1985 to allow refugees from Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), who entered India between 1966-1971, to register as Indian citizens. A 5-judge constitutional bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud upheld Section 6A by a 4:1 majority with Justice JB Pardiwala dissenting. The bench also comprised Justices Surya Kant, MM Sundresh and Manoj Misra.
![[BREAKING] Supreme Court upholds constitutionality of Section 6A of Citizenship Act in 4:1 verdict](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-1-1.jpg?resize=447%2C367&ssl=1)
Today, On 17th October, the Supreme Court upheld Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, confirming its constitutionality concerning citizenship for migrants in Assam who arrived before 1971. This significant ruling, derived from the Assam Accord, has three separate opinions, reflecting ongoing debates on citizenship and regional issues in India.