In a significant development unfolded in the ongoing Rahul Gandhi citizenship case S. Vignesh Shishir, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), officially filed a Right to Information (RTI) application requesting a complete copy of all communications between the Indian and UK governments concerning Rahul Gandhi’s British passport and citizenship records on 20 July 2025.
[Image Credit: Organiser]
This comes shortly after the United Kingdom reportedly shared Rahul Gandhi’s passport details and citizenship status with the Indian government. The documents were forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), specifically its Foreigners Division and Citizenship Wing in New Delhi which follows directives issued by the Allahabad High Court on 11 July 2025, during a hearing in the review petition connected to the Rahul Gandhi British Citizenship and Lok Sabha Election Cancellation Case.
The petitioner, S. Vignesh Shishir, had earlier brought this issue to court, alleging that Rahul Gandhi had declared British citizenship—potentially rendering him ineligible to contest elections under Indian law, which prohibits dual citizenship. Based on a previous High Court order (WPIL No. 471/2025), the Indian government initiated diplomatic outreach to the UK, requesting verification of Gandhi’s citizenship status.
In response, UK authorities are said to have provided a comprehensive set of documents, including passport information and citizenship details. As per court direction, these materials are being handed over to the petitioner to be submitted as evidence in the legal proceedings.
Background of the Citizenship Controversy
The dispute stems from long-standing allegations that Rahul Gandhi may have once held British citizenship while serving as a director of the UK-based company Backops Limited. Petitioner Vignesh Shishir argues that such a declaration made in company filings renders Gandhi ineligible to hold Indian public office under Section 9(2) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, as India does not allow dual citizenship.
Although the case was previously dismissed by the High Court due to delays by the central government in submitting a conclusive report, the court had allowed the petitioner to seek further legal remedies. The latest review petition was filed after new evidence was reportedly acquired by Shishir from London, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan, including documents and videos that allegedly confirm Gandhi’s foreign citizenship.
On 19 December 2024, the High Court had instructed Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Suryabhan Pandey to obtain verification from the MHA. The MHA subsequently reached out to UK authorities via the Indian Embassy in London, requesting Gandhi’s citizenship records. After repeated delays and requests for extensions, the Centre’s initial responses were deemed “insufficient” by the court. During a hearing on 21 April 2025, the bench issued a stern directive giving the MHA 10 days to present definitive proof of Gandhi’s citizenship status.
Notably, Rahul Gandhi has not appointed legal representation in the case so far, a fact that has drawn attention amid mounting political speculation.
Involvement of Central Agencies
What underscores the seriousness of the case is the involvement of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), specifically its Anti-Corruption Branch-II, which is now actively examining aspects of the case. This includes probing allegations that Gandhi may have violated constitutional norms or misled voters by failing to disclose foreign citizenship in his election filings.
The petitioner maintains that the use of a British passport, or any formal claim to British nationality, automatically invalidates Gandhi’s Indian citizenship and disqualifies him from Parliament. These claims, if upheld, could have far-reaching implications for Gandhi’s political future and the Congress party at large.
It’s worth recalling that the Supreme Court had earlier dismissed a similar petition in 2019, with then Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi noting that a company’s internal records showing Gandhi as a “British citizen” were not conclusive evidence of actual citizenship. However, the current review petition claims to bring forward more substantial and verifiable evidence.
As the case returns to the spotlight with fresh momentum, all eyes are now on the Allahabad High Court’s next steps. Whether the new documents provided by the UK government will prove decisive remains to be seen but their emergence marks a crucial turning point in a controversy that blends legal scrutiny, political stakes, and questions about constitutional integrity.
(With inputs from Organiser)
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