The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has directed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to provide continuous security cover to a BJP worker pursuing proceedings against Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, seeking cancellation of his Indian citizenship.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Sangeeta Chandra and Justice B.R. Singh, while hearing a writ petition filed by Karnataka BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir, ordered that one Personal Security Officer (PSO) from the Central Armed Police Forces be deputed with the petitioner on a 24-hour basis.
In its interim order, the Bench observed that the plea required judicial consideration in view of the petitioner’s consistent pursuit of cases against “a very powerful individual.” The Court noted that the petitioner was facing persistent threats while being required to appear before the Investigating Officer at Kotwali Police Station, Raebareli, in compliance with notices issued to him.
The petitioner submitted that on the basis of his complaint lodged in June 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had initiated an inquiry, during which he appeared in Delhi on several occasions and produced documents allegedly showing Rahul Gandhi’s directorship in a UK-based company, M/s Backops Limited, incorporated in August 2003, with his address recorded as 2, Frognal Way, London.
It was further contended that the petitioner had earlier raised objections before the Returning Officer during the Wayanad Parliamentary by-election against the candidature of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. However, those objections were not entertained, prompting him to initiate proceedings for a writ of quo warranto challenging her candidature.
Highlighting that he had been consistently targeted for pursuing cases against the two political leaders, the petitioner claimed he was subjected to daily threats and coercion. He added that although he sought protection from the Central Government and had approached the Prime Minister’s Office, no action was taken on his representation.
Appearing for the Union Government, Deputy Solicitor General of India S.B. Pandey informed the Court that there exists a Witness Protection Scheme and acknowledged that the threats to the petitioner appeared “palpable". He left it to the Court to pass suitable directions regarding security arrangements.
The matter is now scheduled to be taken up on October 9 for further hearing.
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