The long-standing controversy surrounding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s alleged British nationality has resurfaced with fresh momentum, as Raebareli Police in Uttar Pradesh issued a formal notice to petitioner S Vignesh Shishir in connection with the case. The notice, dated August 19, 2025, seeks documentary evidence to support Shishir’s claim that Rahul Gandhi had declared himself a British citizen while serving as director of a UK-based company, Backops Ltd.
The case, which has been under judicial scrutiny since 2015, was recently revived by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court following the submission of new evidence. The petitioner, a Bengaluru-based BJP activist, alleges that Gandhi concealed his foreign citizenship status while filing affidavits for Lok Sabha elections from 2004 onwards.
🧭 Timeline of Events in the UK Nationality Case
| Date | Event Description | Authority Involved |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–2014 | Rahul Gandhi contests Lok Sabha elections | Election Commission of India |
| 2015 | Initial PIL filed in Allahabad High Court | Petitioner: S Vignesh Shishir |
| July 2024 | Fresh complaint filed with Raebareli Police | FIR request under Passport Act |
| August 2025 | Raebareli Police issues notice to petitioner | UP Police |
| August 2025 | RTI reply received from MHA on UK passport query | Ministry of Home Affairs |
The police notice is seen as a procedural step to verify claims before initiating further legal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Passport Act.
📊 Allegations Against Rahul Gandhi: Key Points
| Allegation Area | Details Provided by Petitioner | Legal Implication |
|---|---|---|
| UK Citizenship Declaration | Alleged declaration in Backops Ltd records | Violation of Representation of People Act |
| Election Affidavit Omission | Non-disclosure of foreign citizenship | Grounds for disqualification |
| Passport Ownership | RTI filed to obtain UK passport details | Passport Act violation |
| Corporate Role | Director of UK-based firm (Company No. 4874597) | Conflict with Indian citizenship norms |
According to Shishir, the British authorities have confirmed Gandhi’s citizenship status in correspondence shared with the Indian government in May 2025.
🔍 Legal and Political Reactions
Rahul Gandhi has categorically denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and part of a smear campaign orchestrated by the BJP. He maintains that he has never held British citizenship and that his role in Backops Ltd was purely professional and did not involve any nationality change.
| Stakeholder | Statement Summary |
|---|---|
| Rahul Gandhi | Denied allegations, called it BJP propaganda |
| Congress Party | Accused BJP of vendetta politics |
| BJP Leaders | Demanded investigation and legal action |
| Legal Experts | Emphasized need for documentary verification |
Congress leaders have pointed out that Gandhi’s nomination papers have been scrutinized and validated multiple times by the Election Commission, and no discrepancies have been found.
📉 Legal Framework: Citizenship and Election Eligibility
India does not permit dual citizenship. Any Indian citizen who voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship automatically loses Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955. If proven, the allegations could have serious implications for Gandhi’s eligibility to contest elections.
| Legal Provision | Relevance to Case |
|---|---|
| Citizenship Act, 1955 | Defines loss of Indian citizenship |
| Representation of People Act | Governs election eligibility |
| Passport Act, 1967 | Penalizes false declarations |
| Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) | Applicable for criminal proceedings |
The Raebareli Police’s notice is aimed at establishing prima facie evidence before invoking these provisions.
🧠 RTI Application and UK Government Response
The petitioner filed an RTI with the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking a copy of Rahul Gandhi’s alleged British passport and details of correspondence between the Indian and UK governments. While the contents of the RTI reply have not been publicly disclosed, Shishir claims that the UK authorities have confirmed Gandhi’s citizenship status and shared relevant documents with India.
| RTI Filed By | S Vignesh Shishir | | RTI Subject | UK passport and citizenship confirmation | | Responding Authority | Ministry of Home Affairs, India | | UK Government Role | Provided confirmation in May 2025 |
The petitioner has stated that he will present the RTI documents before the Allahabad High Court in the upcoming hearing.
🧠 Political Implications Ahead of 2029 Elections
The revival of the UK nationality case comes at a politically sensitive time, with national elections approaching in 2029. Rahul Gandhi, who recently shifted his constituency from Amethi to Raebareli, remains a key figure in the Congress party’s campaign strategy.
| Political Impact Area | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|
| Election Nomination | Legal challenge to eligibility |
| Party Reputation | Damage to Congress credibility |
| Opposition Strategy | BJP may amplify allegations |
| Voter Sentiment | Polarization in Raebareli constituency |
Congress leaders have dismissed the timing of the case as “electoral engineering” and vowed to fight it legally and politically.
📌 Conclusion
The Raebareli Police’s notice in the UK nationality case against Rahul Gandhi marks a renewed chapter in a decade-old controversy. As the petitioner prepares to submit fresh evidence and the courts gear up for review, the case could have far-reaching legal and political consequences.
While Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party maintain that the allegations are baseless, the procedural developments and RTI disclosures have added a layer of complexity to the debate. With elections on the horizon, the outcome of this case may influence not just one candidacy—but the broader narrative of political accountability and transparency in India.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports and legal documents as of August 23, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, political, or electoral advice.
