JOIN USSC dismisses plea on Rahul Gandhi's citizenship row
The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking a direction to debar Congress president Rahul Gandhi from contesting General Elections, 2019 till the question of "acquisition of British citizenship" by him was decided.
The top court rejected the plea asking, "Some company in some form mentioned Rahul Gandhi as a British citizen, does it mean he has become a British citizen."
A counsel, appearing for two petitioners, Jai Bhagwan Goyal and Chandra Prakash Tyagi from Delhi, contended that as per the complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, Rahul Gandhi mentioned himself as a British citizen in records of a company, Backops Limited.
A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, however, said these things have been in the air since 2005 and what did the petitioners do since then.
The counsel contended despite the dual citizenship, Rahul wanted to become the Prime Minister.
"It is a reasonably healthy aspiration. Would you mind if the same is offered to you," the bench asked the counsel, who maintained the petitioners were into politics and social service.
In their writ petition, the petitioners sought a direction to debar Rahul from contesting polls from Amethi and Wayanad constituency till a decision was taken on a complaint against him for acquiring dual citizenship.
They also sought a declaration that he was not a citizen of India and incompetent to contest polls under the Representation of People Act, 1951.
The petitioners also contended that Rahul's name should be removed from the electoral roll.
On April 29, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a notice to Rahul clarify within a fortnight factual position on his citizenship. The move has come on a representation by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy contending Rahul had declared himself as British citizen in records of a company, Backops Limited. It was alleged Rahul was one of the directors of the company.