The Allahabad High Court has extended the deadline for the Centre to present its findings on a petition challenging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s 2024 parliamentary election victory.

The plea seeks the cancellation of his election on the grounds of alleged concealment of British citizenship.

A bench comprising Justices A R Masoodi and A K Srivastava directed that the case be listed for the next hearing in the week starting April 21.

The petition, filed by BJP worker S Vignesh Shishir from Karnataka, is being heard as a public interest litigation (PIL). In November last year, the court had sought the Centre’s response regarding its stance on the petitioner’s representation.

During Monday’s hearing, the Centre’s counsel informed the court that the relevant ministry had written to the British government requesting details on Gandhi’s alleged British citizenship. Citing the need for further time to finalize its decision, the Centre once again sought an extension, which the court granted.

The petitioner claims to possess documents and emails from British authorities that purportedly confirm Gandhi’s British citizenship, rendering him ineligible to contest elections or hold a Lok Sabha seat. He also stated that he had previously lodged complaints with the competent authority but received no response, leading him to file the present petition.

Additionally, the petition argues that holding dual citizenship violates provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Passport Act. It further seeks a directive for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a case and conduct an investigation into the matter.