NEW DELHI, Sept 22: The BJP on Tuesday criticised the Congress after a Delhi court set aside a magistrate’s earlier order that had refused to entertain a plea seeking a probe into allegations concerning the inclusion of Sonia Gandhi’s name in the electoral roll.
The allegation relates to the claim that Gandhi’s name appeared in the 1980 electoral roll, three years before she acquired Indian citizenship in 1983. The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings and have not been established as fact.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne set aside the earlier magisterial order and sent the matter back for fresh consideration. The court directed the magistrate to pass a reasoned order after considering the relevant legal requirements, including the provisions of Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 29.
Reacting to the development, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused the Congress of “theft of democracy” and questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged voter-roll entry.
Bhandari also raised questions over how Gandhi’s name could have appeared in the electoral roll at a time when, according to the complaint, she had not yet acquired Indian citizenship.
The court’s order does not establish that Sonia Gandhi committed an offence. It revives the complaint for fresh consideration after finding legal shortcomings in the earlier magisterial order.
The case was brought by advocate Vikas Tripathi, who has sought registration of an FIR and an investigation into the allegations. The next hearing before the magistrate is scheduled for September 29.
