The Special MP-MLA Court in Lucknow has dismissed a petition filed against Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his alleged British citizenship.
Special Judge III (ACJM) Alok Verma delivered the verdict after an eight-day hearing in the alleged British citizenship case. In his order, the special Judge remarked that the petition was an abuse of process of law and the court has no jurisdiction to decide on the nationality or citizenship of any person.
The matter pertains to a petition filed by BJP member S Vignesh Shishir seeking registration of an FIR under serious sections related to Rahul Gandhi’s British citizenship.
The case has been heard on a day-to-day basis for the past eight days in the Special MP-MLA Court. Petitioner S. Vignesh Shishir personally presented his arguments for over 20 hours. During the hearing, several important Supreme Court decisions, legal precedents, and evidence were discussed in detail.
A total of 45 annexures, a sealed envelope, and a 310-page plaint were presented before the court. All these documents have been taken on record for final judgment. The court has reserved its judgment based on all the facts and evidence presented.
The petition sought an order for an FIR to be registered against Rahul Gandhi under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, as well as the Official Secrets Act 1923, the Passport Act 1967, and the Foreigners Act 1946. The petitioner claims that serious legal violations have been committed in the case.
According to the petitioner, following the Supreme Court’s order, the case was being heard in the MP-MLA court in Rae Bareli. Citing threats to his life, he demanded that the case be heard impartially in the MP-MLA Court in Lucknow.
Responding to this demand, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court ordered that the entire case be heard in the Special MP-MLA Court in Lucknow.
The case was subsequently transferred from Rae Bareli to the Lucknow court, where a detailed hearing was held.