Allahabad HC Orders FIR Against Rahul Gandhi in Citizenship Row

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has issued a significant order directing the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. This ruling stems from a petition filed by S. Vignesh Shishir, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker from Karnataka, who has accused Gandhi of holding dual British citizenship. The High Court's decision effectively overturns a prior order by a Lucknow Magistrate court, which had refused to direct the lodging of an FIR in the matter on January 28, 2026.. The core of the allegations revolves around Gandhi's alleged association with a UK-based company, M/S Backops Ltd. According to the petition, Gandhi was a director of this company, incorporated in August 2003. It is further claimed that in the company's annual returns submitted in October 2005 and October 2006, Rahul Gandhi reportedly declared his nationality as British. The petition also states that he provided UK addresses in London and Hampshire. The company was subsequently dissolved in February 2009.. The complainant further alleges that Gandhi disclosed his ownership of this company and a foreign bank account with Barclays Bank in London in his affidavit during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.. The petitioner, S. Vignesh Shishir, has sought the registration of a criminal case against Gandhi under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Official Secrets Act, the Passport Act, and the Foreigners Act.. The Allahabad High Court, in its order, found a prima facie case warranting investigation.. The court has also granted liberty to the state government to refer the investigation to the Central government or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), indicating the potential for a central probe into the matter.. This development is part of a long-standing controversy surrounding Rahul Gandhi's citizenship. Allegations of him holding British nationality have surfaced periodically, often amplified by political opponents. In 2015, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had written to the Prime Minister alleging that Gandhi declared himself a British citizen to float a UK firm, and had demanded that his Indian citizenship and parliamentary membership be revoked.. Subsequently, in 2016, the parliamentary ethics committee, headed by L.K. Advani, had examined Swamy's complaint. Rahul Gandhi had reportedly responded by stating that he had never sought or acquired British citizenship and that his identity was that of an Indian.. The committee did not proceed further at that time.. In April 2019, the Union Home Ministry had also issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi seeking a factual reply on his citizenship status, based on a complaint by Subramanian Swamy.. The Ministry stated that it was reviewing the matter, and the Delhi High Court was later informed that the issue was under consideration.. Earlier, in May 2025, the Allahabad High Court's Lucknow Bench had dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by S. Vignesh Shishir that also alleged dual citizenship, stating that questions relating to citizenship fell outside the jurisdiction of the MP/MLA court.. However, the current directive comes on a fresh petition challenging that dismissal. The Constitution of India does not permit dual citizenship.. If the allegations are proven, they could have significant implications for Rahul Gandhi's eligibility to hold elected office in India. The case has garnered considerable attention due to Gandhi's prominent political stature as the Leader of the Opposition.. The Allahabad High Court's detailed order is awaited, which is expected to shed further light on the specific grounds for the FIR registration and the scope of the investigation.. The political implications of this court order are likely to be significant, with political parties on both sides of the aisle expected to weigh in on the matter.

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