Allahabad High Court Orders Central Govt To Produce Records In Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship Case; Impleads Home Ministry
The case stems from a petition filed by a BJP worker, S. Vignesh Shishir, questioning Gandhi’s citizenship.
The Allahabad High Court has allowed an application to implead the Centre as an opposite party in the Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi’s dual citizenship case. The High Court has also asked the Government to submit relevant records on April 4, 2026.
The case stems from a petition filed by a BJP worker, S. Vignesh Shishir, questioning Gandhi’s citizenship.
The High Court was considering an application for the impleadment of the Union of India as an opposite party to the writ petition on the ground that the Union of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, is a necessary and appropriate party to the petition as the issues raised involve matters falling within the administrative and statutory domain of the Union.
The Single Bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi ordered, “Accordingly, the application for impleadment is allowed.”
The applicant appeared in person while AGA Mayank Sinha appeared for the State and Advocate Varun Pandey appeared for the Union of India.
Factual Background
The applicant claimed that the Congress Leader is a citizen of the United Kingdom and had incorporated a company. It was further claimed that Gandhi had voluntarily declared his nationality as British as per the Companies House, United Kingdom. As per the applicant, the respondent had also submitted the annual returns of the Company showing his nationality as British. Thereafter, the said Company was dissolved by moving a dissolution application. The applicant had claimed that the respondent, while contesting the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, filed an affidavit along with a nomination form, thereby admitting and mentioning the ownership of M/s Backops Ltd. Company and his foreign bank account. It was further brought to the Court’s notice that on the complaint of one Dr Subramanian Swami, a notice was issued to the respondent by the Director, Citizenship, Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division, Government of India.
On March 9, 2026, the Government of India was asked to ensure the production of a complete record related to the notice issued by Mr B.C. Joshi, Director (Citizenship), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to the respondent.
Reasoning
The Bench took note of the fact that the opposite parties did not oppose the application. The Bench thus allowed the application for impleadment.
“The petitioner may incorporate necessary correction in the petition forthwith”, it ordered.
The Bench further ordered the Union of India to again produce the record on April 4, 2026, which was produced before the Court on March 19, 2026.
Cause Title: S. Vignesh Shishir v. Sri Rahul Gandhi And 3 Others (Case No.: Application u/s 528 BNSS No.- 673 of 2026)