The Allahabad High Court on Monday directed the central government to produce records related to a complaint alleging that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi holds British citizenship. The Lucknow bench of Justice Rajeev Singh issued the direction while hearing a petition seeking registration of an FIR against Gandhi and listed the matter for further hearing on March 19.
The case arises from a petition filed by S Vignesh Shishir, a BJP worker from Karnataka, who has challenged an order passed on January 28, 2026, by a special MP/MLA court in Lucknow. The trial court had rejected his plea seeking registration of an FIR against Gandhi in connection with allegations of dual citizenship.
In its order, the special MP/MLA court held that it was not competent to adjudicate issues relating to citizenship.
Shishir has now approached the High Court seeking directions for registration of an FIR and a detailed investigation into the allegations. In his petition, he has invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Official Secrets Act, the Foreigners Act, and the Passport Act against the Congress leader.
During Monday’s hearing, the bench questioned counsel for the central government, Raj Kumar Singh, about the steps taken by the Union government on a complaint concerning Gandhi’s alleged British citizenship.
Following the exchange, the court directed that the entire record pertaining to the controversy be produced by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
The complaint was initially filed before the special MP/MLA court in Rae Bareli. However, on a petition filed by the complainant, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had on December 17, 2025, transferred the criminal complaint case from Rae Bareli to Lucknow.
After the case was transferred, the special MP/MLA court in Lucknow rejected the plea on January 28, prompting the petitioner to challenge the decision before the High Court.
The matter will now be taken up again on March 19.
