The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on a plea filed by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi challenging a revisional court’s order that directed a magisterial court in Varanasi to reconsider a complaint seeking registration of an FIR against him.
Justice Sameer Jain, hearing Gandhi’s criminal revision petition, ordered that the operation of the special court’s directive will remain in abeyance until the final judgment is pronounced.
The matter originates from a complaint filed by Varanasi resident Nageshwar Mishra, who alleged that during an event in the United States in September 2024, Gandhi remarked that the environment in India was “not good for Sikhs.” Mishra claimed the statement was provocative and divisive, and sought an FIR against the Congress leader.
His application before the magistrate was rejected on November 28, 2024, on the ground that the alleged speech was made outside India and therefore fell beyond the court’s jurisdiction.
Dissatisfied with the magistrate’s order, Mishra approached the revisional court, which on July 21, 2025, allowed his plea. The court directed the magistrate to reconsider the matter afresh, effectively reviving the possibility of criminal proceedings against Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi then moved the Allahabad High Court, contending through his counsel that the revisional court’s order was “illegal, without jurisdiction, and contrary to law.” His legal team argued that since the alleged remarks were made abroad, Indian courts could not exercise jurisdiction to initiate criminal proceedings.
The High Court has now reserved its decision on the matter, keeping the revisional court’s directive in abeyance until its verdict is delivered. The ruling will determine whether the Varanasi magistrate must proceed with hearing Mishra’s application seeking an FIR against Gandhi.
