New Delhi is bracing for a significant legal showdown as a local court prepares to hear a petition accusing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of fraudulently entering the voter list before acquiring Indian citizenship. The case, filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi, challenges a magistrate’s dismissal of complaints seeking a police probe into her voter registration in 1980—three years prior to her official citizenship in April 1983.
The petition argues that Gandhi’s name appeared in the New Delhi constituency’s voter rolls in 1980 without valid documentation, implying the use of forged papers—a cognizable offense under Indian law. It further notes that her name was removed in 1982 and reinstated post-citizenship, raising questions about the legitimacy of the initial entry.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue Court had earlier issued notices to Gandhi and Delhi Police on December 9, 2025, agreeing to examine the plea. This comes after Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasia rejected the initial complaint on September 11, 2025, citing judicial overreach into areas reserved for constitutional bodies under Article 329 of the Constitution.
Gandhi’s defense dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, lacking credible evidence of forgery. She emphasized that citizenship matters fall under the central government’s purview, while voter list disputes belong to the Election Commission. No concrete documents proving fraud were presented, her lawyers argued.
The upcoming hearing on Saturday could delve deeper into these claims, potentially reshaping discussions on electoral integrity and high-profile political figures. As the nation watches, this case underscores ongoing debates about transparency in India’s democratic processes. Legal experts anticipate a thorough scrutiny of historical records to ascertain the facts behind the contentious voter entry.