A court in Lucknow has dismissed a petition filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over allegations related to his citizenship.
The court termed the plea an “abuse of the process of law”, observing that it was devoid of merit and beyond the scope of its jurisdiction.
The plea alleged that Rahul Gandhi held British citizenship, and on that basis sought criminal action against him under multiple statutory provisions, including sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Passport Act, the Foreigners Act, and other related laws. The petitioner urged the court to direct the police to initiate an investigation, claiming that Gandhi had concealed material facts regarding his nationality.
After hearing detailed submissions, the court refused to grant the relief sought. It noted that determination of citizenship is not within the authority of a criminal court, particularly at the stage of ordering registration of an FIR. The judge observed that issues concerning nationality and citizenship are governed by specific legal mechanisms and administrative processes, and cannot be adjudicated through criminal proceedings initiated on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations.
In its order, the court further remarked that repeatedly invoking the criminal justice system to pursue such claims amounts to a misuse of judicial process. The judge emphasised that courts must guard against petitions that are filed without proper legal foundation and are intended to settle political or personal scores rather than address genuine legal grievances.
By rejecting the plea, the court effectively closed the door on this attempt to seek criminal action against Rahul Gandhi in the ongoing citizenship controversy. The order underscores the principle that criminal law cannot be used as a tool for fishing inquiries or to compel investigations into matters that fall outside the court’s jurisdiction.
The ruling provides relief to Rahul Gandhi amid recurring allegations over his citizenship status, while reaffirming judicial restraint in politically sensitive disputes.
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