Delhi Court Revives Complaint Against Sonia Gandhi Over 1980 Voter Roll Entry

A Delhi court has asked for a fresh hearing over a complaint regarding alleged registration of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's name as a voter in the electoral rolls in 1980 – years before her Indian citizenship – following the direction of a new court.

The Rouse Avenue Court's Special Judge Vishal Gogne had earlier rejected the complaint in the magistrate's order, and remanded the case for fresh consideration. The court has also directed the Delhi Police to submit a status report, and has set September 29 as the next hearing date.

Court Seeks Fresh Consideration Of Complaint

The complaint was filed by Vikas Tripathi, who has alleged irregularities involving Gandhi's entry in the electoral roll.

According to the complaint, Gandhi became an Indian citizen on April 30, 1983, while her name had allegedly appeared in the electoral list as early as 1980. Tripathi has also claimed that her name was removed from the roll in 1982 and subsequently appeared again in January 1983.

The allegations include claims of voter-list manipulation, forgery and related offences. These allegations have not been established in court.

The matter was earlier rejected by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasia on September 11. The magistrate had held that the complaint lacked sufficient evidence and specific details to establish the alleged offences.

Special Judge Criticises Earlier Order

While reviewing the matter, Special Judge Gogne said the magistrate's order did not adequately address whether the allegations disclosed a cognisable offence.

The special judge described the earlier order as "non-speaking" on that issue and said the magistrate had not sufficiently considered the documents and factual assertions placed before the court.

The case was therefore sent back to the magistrate for reconsideration. The court directed that arguments be heard afresh and that a reasoned order be passed after obtaining a police status report.

The judge also observed that the Election Commission's authority over electoral rolls does not, by itself, prevent the police from examining allegations involving possible fraudulent inclusion or forged documents.

Sonia Gandhi Rejects Allegations

Gandhi, through senior advocate R.S. Cheema, opposed the complaint and described it as politically motivated and unsupported by documentary evidence.

Her legal team argued that there was no material demonstrating that Gandhi herself had forged or falsified documents to secure inclusion in the electoral roll.

Gandhi's lawyers also questioned the basis of the allegations, arguing that the complainant had relied on an old newspaper report concerning the date of her citizenship application without establishing the authenticity of the underlying information.

They further maintained that preparation and maintenance of electoral rolls fall within the statutory framework administered by the Election Commission.

Magistrate To Hear Matter Again On September 29

Tripathi challenged the magistrate's September 11 decision before the higher court, arguing that the allegations required investigation rather than dismissal at the preliminary stage.

The special judge has now remanded the complaint to the magistrate, and ordered the status report by the investigating officer to be taken into account.

The hearing with the magistrate will be on Sept. 29. The proceedings will decide the course of the complaint and if additional investigations are warranted.

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Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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