Allahabad High Court Orders Probe Against Rahul Gandhi in Dual Citizenship Case

In a significant legal development, the Allahabad High Court has directed authorities to initiate an inquiry into allegations that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi holds dual citizenship. The order, passed by the Lucknow bench of the court, has brought renewed attention to a politically sensitive issue with potential legal implications for the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

The directive came in response to a petition filed by S. Vignesh Shishir, a BJP worker, who challenged an earlier decision by a special MP/MLA court in Lucknow. The lower court had dismissed his plea seeking registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Gandhi, stating that it lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate matters related to citizenship. Dissatisfied with this ruling, the petitioner approached the high court, which has now intervened in the matter.

In its order, the high court observed that the allegations made against Gandhi warranted further investigation. It directed the Uttar Pradesh government to either conduct the probe itself or consider referring the matter to a central agency for a more comprehensive inquiry. The court’s decision effectively opens the door for a formal criminal investigation into the claims surrounding Gandhi’s citizenship status.

The petitioner has alleged that Rahul Gandhi may have held British citizenship, citing purported documents and communication linked to the incorporation of a company in the United Kingdom in the early 2000s. Based on these claims, he has sought legal action under multiple provisions, including those related to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Foreigners Act, the Passport Act, and the Official Secrets Act. 

According to Indian law, individuals holding foreign citizenship are not eligible to contest elections or serve as Members of Parliament. The allegations, therefore, raise serious questions about eligibility and compliance with constitutional requirements, though they remain to be established through due legal process.

The case has a long procedural history. The complaint was initially filed in a court in Rae Bareli before being transferred to Lucknow by the high court in December 2025. After the special court rejected the plea earlier this year, the petitioner escalated the matter once again to the high court, leading to the current order.

The court’s directive has added a new dimension to the political discourse, with the potential to spark sharp reactions from both the ruling party and the opposition. While the petitioner has described the order as a “landmark” step, there has been no immediate official response from Gandhi or the Congress party on the latest development.

As the investigation moves forward, authorities are expected to examine the evidence presented and determine whether the allegations hold merit. The outcome of the probe could have significant legal and political consequences, making it a closely watched case in the coming weeks.