"If Some Papers Say He Is British Citizen, Will He Become British Citizen?" SC Rejects Plea On Rahul Gandhi's Citizenship

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the plea by two private persons to restrain Congress President Rahul Gandhi from contesting the 2019 General Elections until the determination of the 'dual citizenship' issue upon his supposedly procuring British citizenship.

"Some paper says he has British citizenship so he becomes a British citizen? Merely because a company speaks of him as a British citizenship so it means he has British citizenship?", observed the bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

"But he is aspiring to be the PM...", it was sought to be advanced.

"Each one of the 100 crore population of the country aspires to be the PM...if you got the opportunity, would you mind being the PM? It is a healthy aspiration to have", remarked the bench.

The 'activists' allege that Rahul Gandhi has acquired British citizenship which, according to them, is evident from documents filed by Backops Ltd before the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales. Rahul Gandhi's name is allegedly shown as one of the promoter of the Company. 

The activists have sought a declaration from the court that the Congress President is not competent to contest elections as he is not a citizen of India. The further seek a direction to Election Commission of India to decide the question of alleged acquisition of British Citizenship by Rahul Gandhi. Another prayer is to remove his name from electoral roll till the decision in this regard.

The returning officer of Amethi had set aside these allegations while accepting Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers. On a complaint filed by the Bharathiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy, the Home Ministry has also sought response from the Congress President.

A writ petition, raising similar allegations, moved by Advocate ML Sharma, was dismissed by the Supreme Court in 2015.