NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a summons to S. Vignesh Shishir, in connection with his ongoing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Allahabad High Court. Shishir’s petition alleges that senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi holds British citizenship, a claim that, if proven, would make him ineligible to be a Member of Parliament. The ED’s involvement adds a new and significant dimension to the long-running controversy surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s nationality.
While speaking to Organiser, Shishir informed that he has been directed to appear before the central probe agency in New Delhi on September 9. He is expected to provide all evidence and documents related to his allegations. The ED’s investigation falls under the purview of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), suggesting the agency is looking into potential financial transactions or undeclared income from abroad that may be connected to the matter.
The summoning of Shishir comes amid intensified legal scrutiny of the claim. The Allahabad High Court, during a recent hearing, took a serious view of the petitioner’s safety, ordering round-the-clock security for him. The court noted that Shishir was pursuing a case against a “very powerful individual” and was facing constant threats. The court has also called on the central government to formally seek information from the UK government regarding the allegations.
The roots of this legal challenge trace back to allegations that Rahul Gandhi, while serving as a director of a UK-based company, Backops Limited, had declared himself a British citizen.
Complainant S Vignesh Shishir, Member of Bharatiya Janata Party had made a representation in which he had provided substantial evidences in the form of information related to a company by name M/s BACKOPS LIMITED Registered in the United Kingdom bearing Company Number 4874597. Having registration certificate vide bar code N04874597A, (Details of the copy were furnished to the court) dated 21/08/2003. According to Shishir, the in the mentioned Company Rahul Gandhi has served / worked / declared to the United Kingdom Companies House as a Director and Company Secretary.
Also, the Allahabad High Court had directed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to provide round-the-clock security to litigant S Vignesh Shishir, who has been pursuing a series of legal cases challenging the citizenship of Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
The Division Bench comprising Justice Sangeeta Chandra and Justice Brij Raj Singh, in an order dated August 28, instructed the Centre to immediately assign a personal security officer (PSO) from the Central Armed Police Forces to Shishir, citing the “constant threats” faced by him due to his legal battle against what it described as a “very powerful individual.”
