Subramanian Swamy Pushes for Rahul Gandhi’s Citizenship Review: Delhi High Court to Hear Plea
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/18th August 2024
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has taken a significant step by approaching the Delhi High Court, seeking a directive for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to make a decision on his request to revoke Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Indian citizenship. This plea, which raises questions about Gandhi’s nationality, is expected to be heard by the High Court next week, marking a crucial moment in this long-standing controversy.
The petition, filed by Swamy’s lawyer Satya Sabharwal, stems from allegations dating back to 2019. Swamy had written to the MHA, alleging that Gandhi, while serving as a Director and Secretary of Backops Limited—a UK-based company registered in 2003—had declared himself as a British national in the company’s official documents. Specifically, Swamy pointed out that Gandhi’s nationality was listed as British in the company’s Annual Returns filed on October 10, 2005, and October 31, 2006. Furthermore, when the company applied for dissolution on February 17, 2009, Gandhi’s nationality was once again recorded as British.
These claims, according to Swamy, constitute a violation of Article 9 of the Indian Constitution and the Indian Citizenship Act of 1955, which prohibits Indian citizens from voluntarily acquiring the citizenship of another country. Swamy has consistently argued that such actions warrant a serious review of Gandhi’s citizenship status.
In light of these allegations, Swamy has expressed frustration over the MHA’s delay in addressing his concerns. Despite more than five years passing since his initial letter to the ministry, Swamy claims that there has been no clear response or decision regarding the status of Gandhi’s citizenship. This lack of resolution prompted him to escalate the matter to the Delhi High Court.
Swamy has also taken to social media to highlight his actions, tweeting about the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by his associate advocate, Satya Sabharwal. He criticized the MHA for its failure to prosecute Gandhi and demanded an explanation for why Gandhi should not be stripped of his Indian citizenship. Swamy further thanked his associates, including Vishesh Kanoria, for their support in pursuing this matter.
However, this is not the first time Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship has come under scrutiny. In April 2019, the MHA had written to Gandhi, asking him to clarify his citizenship status within two weeks. Despite this, the issue remained unresolved. Additionally, in May 2019, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea that sought to bar Gandhi from contesting elections on the grounds of his alleged British citizenship. The dismissal by the Supreme Court was a significant legal victory for Gandhi at that time, allowing him to continue his political career without immediate hindrance.
As the Delhi High Court prepares to hear the plea next week, all eyes will be on the proceedings to see how the court addresses this contentious issue. Swamy’s persistent efforts to bring the matter to the forefront reflect the ongoing political and legal battles that have surrounded Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship status. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for Gandhi’s political future, as well as for the broader debate on dual citizenship and national allegiance in India.
