On 9th March, the Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench directed the central government to produce records related to a complaint alleging that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi holds British citizenship. The court was hearing a petition seeking registration of an FIR against Gandhi. The bench of Justice Rajeev Singh ordered the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to place the entire file relating to the controversy before the court. The matter has been listed for further hearing on 19th March.
The Hon'ble Allahabad High Court at Lucknow Bench headed by has issued a Very Important and Landmark Interim Order today on 09/03/2026 in the Criminal Case Seeking Registration of FIR against Rahul Gandhi due to his British Citizenship after hearing the Petitioner S Vignesh…
— VIGNESH SHISHIR (@VIGNESHBJP_KTK) March 9, 2026
Petition challenges trial court order
The case arises from a petition filed by Bharatiya Janata Party worker from Karnataka, S Vignesh Shishir. He has sought an FIR against Gandhi over allegations of dual citizenship. He approached the Allahabad High Court challenging the order passed by a special MP MLA court in Lucknow on 28th January 2026, where it had rejected Vignesh’s plea seeking an FIR against the Congress leader. In its order, the special court observed that it was not competent to adjudicate questions related to citizenship.
Following the rejection of his application, the petitioner moved the High Court seeking directions for registration of an FIR and a detailed investigation into the matter.
Allegations invoke multiple legal provisions
In his petition before the High Court, Shishir invoked several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with the Official Secrets Act, the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act.
The complaint seeks registration of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi under sections 318, 335, 340, 236, 237, 61, 148, 147, 152, 238, 336(3) and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The petition also cites sections 3, 5 and 6 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, sections 12 and 13 of the Passports Act, 1967, and sections 14(B) and 14(C) of the Foreigners Act, 1946.
Court seeks response from Centre
During the hearing on Monday, the bench questioned counsel for the Union government, Raj Kumar Singh, about the steps taken by the Centre regarding the complaint concerning Rahul Gandhi’s alleged British citizenship. Following the exchange, the court directed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to produce the entire record related to the case before the court.
Case earlier transferred from Rae Bareli
The criminal complaint was originally filed before the special MP MLA court in Rae Bareli. However, on a petition moved by the complainant, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had on 17th December 2025 transferred the case from Rae Bareli to Lucknow.
After the transfer, the special MP MLA court in Lucknow rejected the application seeking registration of an FIR on 28th January 2026. The petitioner subsequently challenged the decision before the High Court.
The matter will now be taken up again on 19th March 2026 before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court.
