Allahabad HC Orders FIR Against Rahul Gandhi in Dual Citizenship Probe

Lucknow, April 18 (TNA) The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to register an FIR against Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile dual citizenship case, escalating legal challenges for the Rae Bareli parliamentarian.

Justice Subhash Vidyarthi, hearing a petition by Karnataka BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir, ruled that the allegations warrant investigation, overturning a January 28, 2025, order by Lucknow’s special MP/MLA court that had dismissed the FIR plea citing lack of jurisdiction on citizenship matters.

Shishir accused Gandhi of holding British citizenship alongside Indian, allegedly violating the Constitution, BNS 2023 sections, Official Secrets Act 1923, Passport Act 1967, and Foreigners Act 1946, citing a UK company directorship with British nationality declaration and potential dual passports posing national security risks. The court, after reviewing Centre-submitted records, noted prima facie cognizable offences and permitted UP to delegate the probe to a central agency.

The petitioner demanded a thorough investigation, including Gandhi’s UK firm Backops Ltd. records, amid prolonged hearings where the bench queried the Centre on prior complaints. Congress has yet to respond officially, as the order intensifies political scrutiny ahead of key sessions.