Allahabad High Court has ordered FIR and investigation against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Rahul Gandhi British citizenship FIR case, after a BJP worker filed a plea alleging British citizenship and related financial and legal claims. The bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi set aside a Lucknow court order and directed police to register the case against Gandhi. A detailed order from the High Court is still awaited, as reported by Livelaw.
Petition and Allegations by BJP Worker
The petition came from Karnataka BJP worker S Vignesh Shishir, who accused Rahul Gandhi of holding British citizenship and running a company named M/S Backops Ltd, registered in August 2003. The plea also cited a Director Identification Number linked to London and Hampshire addresses.
Justice Vidyarthi said that after FIR registration, the state government may request any central agency to investigate the matter. Rahul Gandhi’s counsel Pranshu Agarwal rejected the allegations and said his client never received notice and did not participate in the hearing. He added that the legal team will review the order and pursue legal remedies.
Earlier on January 28, the MP-MLA court dismissed Shishir’s plea, stating that he failed to present new or concrete evidence regarding citizenship and that higher courts issued no directions in the matter.
Meanwhile, Vignesh Shishir claimed that he submitted documents suggesting Rahul Gandhi may have registered as a voter in the United Kingdom and may have taken part in elections there. The petition demanded action under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Official Secrets Act, 1923, the Passport Act, 1967, and the Foreigners Act, 1946.
The petitioner argued that the case raises serious concerns linked to national security and citizenship and urged authorities to take legal action.
