Petition Challenging Rahul Gandhi's MP Membership Dismissed

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging the parliamentary membership of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The petition had been filed citing his conviction in a defamation case and unresolved questions related to his citizenship status.

The bench categorically rejected the petitioner’s arguments and made key observations in favor of Rahul Gandhi. The court stated that the petitioner failed to produce any strong or official evidence to support the claim that Rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary membership should be revoked based on his citizenship. “No clear evidence has been presented before us that would warrant the cancellation of his membership,” the court remarked.

Furthermore, the court noted that the central government had not taken any definitive decision to bar Rahul Gandhi from participating in parliamentary proceedings. During the hearing, the Deputy Solicitor General informed the court that the central government had not issued any time-bound directive to resolve the questions surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship.

In relation to the defamation case, the court observed that the Supreme Court had already stayed the conviction. Therefore, the writ petition challenging his qualification to hold office lacked merit. “In light of the protection already granted by a higher court regarding disqualification-related allegations, this court will not undertake a review of such relief,” the bench clarified.

The court also recorded that the petitioner had voluntarily withdrawn the main plea concerning Rahul Gandhi’s conviction, and thus considered that part of the petition as “not pressed” and proceeded to dismiss it. It further noted that the representations made to the government had yielded no clear outcome. However, the court maintained that if any lawful representation had already been made, it could be examined by the competent authority in accordance with the law.