Allahabad HC orders probe into Rahul Gandhi citizenship allegation, says claims require inquiry
Allahabad HC Lucknow Bench orders investigation into allegations raised by Karnataka BJP worker S Vignesh Shishir, setting aside a lower court’s order to register an FIR, noting that the matter warrants proper scrutiny despite questions over jurisdiction
Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi at the Parliament premises on the second day of Parliament’s three-day Special Session, in New Delhi on Friday. ANI Photo
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The Allahabad High Court on Friday directed an inquiry into allegations that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi holds dual citizenship, asking the Uttar Pradesh government to either conduct the probe itself or refer the matter to a central agency.
Hearing a petition filed by BJP worker S Vignesh Shishir, a resident of Karnataka, the Lucknow Bench said the nature of the allegations warrants investigation, setting aside a January 28 order of a special MP/MLA court in Lucknow which had declined to order registration of an FIR.
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The trial court had earlier held that it was not competent to examine issues relating to citizenship. The high court, however, observed that the allegations required scrutiny through a proper investigative process.
The petitioner has sought registration of an FIR and a detailed probe under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Official Secrets Act, the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act.
He has claimed to possess documents, including alleged emails linked to the British government, to assert that Gandhi is a British citizen and therefore ineligible to contest elections or continue as a member of the Lok Sabha.
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The complaint was initially filed before a special MP/MLA court in Rae Bareli and later transferred to Lucknow by the high court on December 17, 2025. After the Lucknow court dismissed his plea, the petitioner approached the high court again.
Reacting to the order on X, Shishir termed the development a “landmark” and said the court had directed registration of an FIR at Kotwali police station in Rae Bareli. He expressed gratitude to the court and claimed the proceedings would bring out the truth in the interest of national security and public interest.
In subsequent posts, he said documents placed before the court included what he described as “top secret records” cleared for production, and alleged that facts relating to the citizenship issue had remained concealed for years. He said that he would pursue the case to its conclusion and seek legal action in accordance with the law.
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