LUCKNOW: The court passed the directions after hearing a petition filed by S Vignesh Shishir who has sought criminal proceedings against Rahul Gandhi in connection with allegations regarding his citizenship status.
During the hearing, the court summoned the Central Government Standing Counsel, Raj Kumar Singh, who appeared on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The bench sought information regarding the latest action taken by the ministry’s Foreigners Division and Citizenship Wing concerning the citizenship allegations against Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Member of Parliament from Rae Bareli.
The Uttar Pradesh government was represented by Government Advocate V K Singh, who submitted before the court that, according to the material presented by the petitioner, cognizable offences appeared to be made out in the case.
After hearing arguments for more than 90 minutes, the High Court passed an interim order directing the Ministry of Home Affairs to produce the entire case file related to Rahul Gandhi’s alleged British citizenship from the Citizenship Wing of its Foreigners Division.
The matter stems from Petition No. 673 of 2026 filed by Vignesh Shishir, who challenged an earlier order passed by a Special MP/MLA Magistrate court on January 28, 2026. The magistrate had rejected a plea seeking directions to the Kotwali Police Station in Rae Bareli district to register an FIR against Rahul Gandhi.
In the petition before the High Court, the petitioner has sought quashing of the magistrate’s order and requested the court to direct the registration of a First Information Report against the Congress leader.
According to the plea, an FIR is sought against Rahul Gandhi under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code, as well as sections of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, the Passports Act, 1967 and the Foreigners Act, 1946.
The petitioner has alleged that evidence submitted before the court establishes the existence of cognizable criminal offences related to the citizenship issue. However, the court has not made any findings on the merits of the allegations at this stage.
The High Court has fixed March 19, 2026, as the next date of hearing, when the Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to produce the requested records for the court’s consideration.
