Delhi High Court Informed CBI Has Initiated Inquiry on PIL Alleging Rahul Gandhi’s British Citizenship
New Delhi, November 6: The Delhi High Court was informed on Wednesday that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an inquiry in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Allahabad High Court regarding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s alleged British citizenship. The update came during a virtual hearing of a related PIL, submitted by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who has raised concerns about Gandhi’s nationality status.
The PIL was filed by Vignesh Shishir, a BJP member from Karnataka, who appeared before the division bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela. Shishir, the petitioner in the Allahabad High Court, informed the Delhi High Court that his petition was making significant progress and had reached an advanced stage. The issue at hand pertains to allegations that Rahul Gandhi, who is an Indian citizen, might have violated Article 9 of the Indian Constitution by allegedly holding British citizenship, which would render him ineligible for membership in the Indian Parliament.
During the hearing, Shishir stated that he had shared confidential evidence with the CBI in connection with the case. He explained that the matter was being actively pursued in the Allahabad High Court, but the current proceedings in Delhi High Court could result in overlapping or “multiplicity of proceedings” regarding similar allegations. Shishir further requested the court’s permission to submit relevant documents detailing the progress made in the Allahabad PIL.
In response, the bench led by Chief Justice Manmohan asked Shishir to file an affidavit within two weeks, along with an application for impleadment. This would allow the court to review the developments in the case and ensure all necessary parties were involved in the legal process.
This PIL was filed in the wake of previous complaints made by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who had earlier sought a directive from the Centre to provide a status report regarding his own complaint against Rahul Gandhi. Swamy has claimed that Gandhi may have breached the provisions of the Indian Constitution by allegedly holding dual citizenship, specifically British, which would contravene Article 9 of the Constitution. According to Article 9, any Indian citizen who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality forfeits their Indian citizenship.
The latest developments in the case have added fuel to the ongoing political debate surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s nationality and eligibility to serve as a Member of Parliament. The allegations against Gandhi have led to significant political discourse, particularly as the opposition leader remains a prominent figure in Indian politics.
In his plea, Shishir emphasized the gravity of the issue and its potential implications for the political landscape. He argued that the case required prompt judicial intervention to determine whether Gandhi had breached constitutional provisions by holding foreign citizenship.
While the CBI has now stepped into the matter, the legal proceedings are still in their early stages, and the Allahabad High Court is expected to provide further directions in the coming weeks. The case has also brought into focus issues related to dual citizenship, constitutional interpretation, and the eligibility criteria for elected representatives in India.
As the matter progresses, it is likely to remain a point of contention in the political arena, with the ruling BJP and opposition parties closely watching developments. The final outcome will not only impact Gandhi’s political career but could also set important precedents for similar cases involving alleged violations of citizenship laws.
