New Delhi [India] – A long-dormant complaint alleging the wrongful inclusion of Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s name in the 1980–81 electoral rolls has resurfaced, with a revision petition now before the Sessions Court. The matter, earlier dismissed by a Magistrate Court in September, is scheduled for detailed hearings in the coming weeks.
A revision petition challenging the Magistrate Court’s September dismissal of the complaint has been filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi. The Sessions Court has listed the matter for hearing on December 9, reopening a case that the Magistrate had earlier rejected at the threshold.
In its September ruling, the Rouse Avenue Court held that the criminal complaint lacked legal merit, relied on uncertified photocopies, and attempted to draw the court into matters outside its jurisdiction. The order emphasised that questions of citizenship lie with the Central Government under the Citizenship Act, while electoral roll matters fall exclusively under the Election Commission.
The Magistrate also observed that the complaint projected a civil dispute as criminal wrongdoing, noting that the essential statutory elements of forgery or cheating were missing.
On December 9, Sessions Judge Vishal Gogne issued notice to Sonia Gandhi after hearing initial submissions from Senior Advocate Pavan Narang, appearing for the revisionist. Narang argued that new, attested documents obtained from the Election Commission indicate irregularities in the entry, deletion, and re-entry of Sonia Gandhi’s name between 1980 and 1983—before she became an Indian citizen.
He contended that only Indian citizens can be enrolled as voters under the Representation of the People Act, and that the sequence of electoral roll entries warranted judicial reconsideration. The court also ordered the Trial Court Record to be summoned for a comprehensive review. The next hearing is set for January 6.
The political reaction was immediate and intense.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh criticised Sonia Gandhi, calling the issue “a question of loyalty” and alleging dual citizenship concerns.
BJP MP Sambit Patra claimed that “documents must have been forged” for Sonia Gandhi to appear on the 1980 electoral roll, arguing that her inclusion occurred before she acquired citizenship in 1983. He questioned what documents were submitted to justify her enrolment.
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also attacked the Congress, alleging corruption and insisting that Sonia Gandhi voted before obtaining citizenship.
Congress leaders strongly rejected the allegations.
Congress MP Tanuj Punia called the case a political diversion, accusing the BJP of manufacturing controversies.
Congress MP Mallu Ravi said the ruling party was attempting to malign Sonia Gandhi’s reputation out of fear.
Priyanka Gandhi dismissed the allegations as an “absolute lie,” insisting that her mother voted only after becoming an Indian citizen. She questioned the motives behind the attacks, noting Sonia Gandhi’s age and decades of public service.
The revision petition stems from advocate Vikas Tripathi’s original complaint, which alleged that Sonia Gandhi appeared in the 1980–81 electoral rolls before acquiring Indian citizenship. The Magistrate had dismissed the complaint as an abuse of legal process, but the Sessions Court will now reassess the matter on January 6.
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