The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has directed an inquiry to be conducted into allegations that Rahul Gandhi holds dual citizenship. The court stated that the matter warrants investigation and instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to either carry out the probe itself or refer it to a central agency.

This direction came while hearing a petition filed by S. Vignesh Shishir, a BJP worker from Karnataka. He had challenged a January 28 decision of a special MP/MLA court in Lucknow, which had earlier refused to order the registration of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi. The lower court had ruled that it did not have the authority to decide matters related to citizenship, leading the petitioner to approach the high court.

In his plea, Shishir sought a detailed investigation and the registration of an FIR. He made allegations under several legal provisions, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Official Secrets Act, the Foreigners Act, and the Passport Act. According to the petitioner, there are documents and certain emails from the British government that suggest Rahul Gandhi holds British citizenship. Based on this claim, he argued that Gandhi would be ineligible to contest elections in India and could not continue as a member of the Lok Sabha.

The case has seen multiple legal developments over time. Initially, the complaint was filed before a special MP/MLA court in Rae Bareli. On December 17, 2025, the high court transferred the matter to a court in Lucknow. After the Lucknow court dismissed the plea, the petitioner once again moved the high court, seeking further intervention.

Taking note of the submissions, the high court emphasised that the seriousness of the allegations requires proper examination. It did not pass any judgment on the merits of the claims but focused on ensuring that due process is followed through an official inquiry.

The order places responsibility on the Uttar Pradesh government to decide the mode of investigation. It can either handle the inquiry independently or involve a central agency if needed. The decision highlights the court’s view that questions surrounding citizenship, especially involving a public representative, must be addressed through appropriate legal channels.

The development adds a new dimension to the ongoing political and legal discussions surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s eligibility. The outcome of the investigation, once completed, will play a crucial role in determining the validity of the claims made in the petition.