The Allahabad High Court has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to decide on a plea questioning Congress leader Rahul Gandhi?s Indian citizenship by December 19, according to Bar and Bench. The interim order was issued on Monday by a bench comprising Justices Attau Rahman Masoodi and Subhash Vidyarthi.

The petition, filed by S Vignesh Shishir, raised concerns over Gandhi allegedly holding United Kingdom (UK) citizenship and requested a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter. During the hearing, Deputy Solicitor General of India SB Pandey informed the court that the plea had been received by the Centre and was currently under consideration.

Shishir?s petition is not the first to question Gandhi?s citizenship status. It cited a 2022 petition by VSS Sarma, who had also sought clarification on Gandhi?s citizenship from the British government. The petitioner?s latest move follows his withdrawal of a similar petition earlier in July, where the court granted him the liberty to explore remedies under the Citizenship Act.

In his representations to the MHA, Shishir has requested the cancellation of Rahul Gandhi?s Indian citizenship, alleging dual citizenship, which is prohibited under Indian law. The court has asked the MHA to inform it of the outcome by the next hearing date.

The matter has also been raised in other legal avenues. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a similar petition before the Delhi High Court. However, the court deferred proceedings, awaiting clarity on the petitions before the Allahabad High Court.

As the December 19 deadline approaches, the case is likely to reignite debates over Gandhi?s citizenship status, a topic frequently raised by political opponents to question his eligibility and loyalty to India.