HC gives Centre 2 weeks to file reply in Rahul citizenship case

LUCKNOW: Allahabad high court 's Lucknow bench granted Union govt time until May 5 to respond to a petition alleging Congress MP Rahul Gandhi concealed his British citizenship while contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Rae Bareli. The bench comprising Justices A R Masoodi and Rajiv Singh issued the order Monday while hearing a PIL filed by S Vignesh Shishir , a BJP worker from Karnataka.

During a hearing last Nov, HC directed Centre to clarify its stand on the petition. Deputy solicitor general S B Pandey informed the bench Monday that the relevant ministry had contacted UK govt for details on Gandhi's alleged British citizenship and requested additional time. Govt has repeatedly sought extensions since Nov 2024 to present its findings.

Shishir has also approached Delhi HC, where he was told a CBI probe was underway. In the current petition, he claimed to possess documents and emails from UK govt proving Gandhi's British citizenship, which he said disqualifies Gandhi from contesting elections in India or serving as a member of LS. tnn