In a dramatic session at the Allahabad High Court, proceedings on a PIL questioning Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship were adjourned after prolonged arguments from the petitioner’s advocate. The case, which has sparked significant political interest, revolves around allegations that Gandhi holds British citizenship, which would disqualify him from contesting in Indian elections.
Case Background
The PIL was filed by S. Vignesh Shishir, a Bengaluru resident, represented by Advocate Ashok Pandey. The petition claims that Gandhi declared his nationality as British in documents submitted to the UK’s Companies House while serving as the director of Backops Limited from 2003 to 2009. The petitioner asserts that this contravenes Article 84 of the Indian Constitution, which stipulates that only Indian citizens can contest parliamentary elections. The plea also references an election affidavit from 2004, where Gandhi listed multiple UK bank accounts and his ownership of Backops Limited, arguing that these factors confirm his British citizenship .
Today’s Hearing
During the hearing, which lasted over 90 minutes, Justices Rajan Roy and Om Prakash Shukla repeatedly asked Advocate Pandey to conclude his arguments. Despite these requests, Pandey continued, prompting the bench to express their frustration: “Enough! You have tested our patience. You can’t take the Court for granted. We have given you enough chances. Now, we are rising. Looks like you don’t want us to hear other matters”
Courtroom Developments
The hearing became increasingly tense as Pandey insisted on further arguments, leading the judges to rise in frustration. The bench emphasized that only substantial matters warrant extended hearings. Despite ample time being given to present his case, Pandey’s persistent arguments led to the adjournment of the proceedings. The court warned that continuing in this manner would result in costs for wasting court time.
The bench has risen. Judges leave the court-room.
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 1, 2024
Justice Roy : Aap chahte hain ki aaj koi dusre matters na sune jaayen to theek hai.#AllahabadHighCourt #RahulGandhi https://t.co/PZ8jPS00DC
Political Context and Previous Rulings
This is not the first time Gandhi’s citizenship has been challenged. In 2019, a similar petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court, which raised questions about the authenticity and procurement of the documents presented. The Congress party has dismissed these allegations as a “fake narrative” aimed at discrediting their leader .
Judgment Status
The court did not issue a final judgment today. Instead, it directed its registry to submit a report on a 2016 judgment related to the advocate representing the petitioner. This indicates that the court is still reviewing the broader context and previous related judgments before making a final decision .
Election Commission’s Stand
The counsel for the Election Commission of India countered that issues regarding Gandhi’s eligibility should be addressed through an election petition and noted that similar pleas had been dismissed by the Supreme Court. When questioned about the source of his documents, Pandey admitted they were downloaded, which further complicated the case .
Conclusion
Following the heated exchange, the petitioner requested to withdraw the PIL with liberty to file afresh, which the court warned would incur costs for wasting court time. Ultimately, the bench reserved its order, leaving the issue unresolved for the time being.
This legal battle adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape surrounding Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. For detailed updates and more information, you can follow the ongoing coverage on Live Law.
