Bombay HC seeks documents on Supriya Sule's citizenship

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued a Letter of Request to the Consulate General of Singapore, seeking documents regarding alleged citizenship status of Supriya Sule, the Baramati MP and daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, in that country.

The court was hearing an application filed by Mrunalini Kakade, who has filed an election petition challenging Sule's election to Lok Sabha in 2009, alleging, among other things, that she held citizenship of Singapore then.

Kakade, in her application, had said the court should issue summons to Mahendran Muthusamy, councilor officer in the Consulate General's office, for deposing before HC, and also direct him to produce all documents pertaining to the citizenship status of Sule.

Kakade had also alleged that Sule and her father, Sharad Pawar, were using their influence to prevent officials from giving information.

Justice J H Bhatia today however refused to summon Muthusamy to the court for deposition, but issued a letter of request seeking documents by February 14. The court is presently conducting a trial to decide the dispute about Sule's citizenship.

According to the election petition, Sule owes "adherence and allegiance" to Singapore, where she had purchased property and had investments along with her husband. According to the petition, under Singapore law, once a person purchases property there, he or she becomes a permanent resident of that country.
Sule has maintained that she was and is a citizen of India.