Voter list row resurfaces as Sonia Gandhi receives court notice
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday strongly rejected allegations that her mother, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, was listed on India’s electoral rolls before acquiring citizenship. Calling the claims an “absolute lie,” Priyanka said Sonia Gandhi cast her vote only after becoming an Indian citizen.
“Do they have any evidence? This is an absolute lie. She voted only after she became a citizen. I don’t understand why they are targeting her when she is about to turn 80. She has devoted her entire life to serving the nation. She should be spared at her age,” Priyanka Gandhi told reporters.
Earlier in the day, the Sessions Court at Rouse Avenue issued a notice to Sonia Gandhi while hearing a revision petition challenging a Magistrate’s September order that dismissed a complaint alleging her wrongful inclusion in the 1980–81 voter list. The notice was issued by Sessions Judge Vishal Gogne after hearing initial arguments from the petitioner.
Senior Advocate Pavan Narang, appearing for revisionist Vikas Tripathi, argued that documents on record indicate serious irregularities in the manner Sonia Gandhi’s name was added to the electoral roll before she became an Indian citizen. He claimed that “certain documents must have been forged and falsified” to enter her name in the 1980 voter list, noting that her name was later deleted and re-entered in 1983 based on an application filed that year—both, he contended, before she obtained citizenship.
Narang further submitted that under the Representation of the People Act, only Indian citizens can be enrolled as voters, raising issues requiring judicial examination. He added that attested copies of electoral records, now obtained from the Election Commission, strengthen the revisionist’s claim.
After hearing the submissions, Judge Gogne issued notices to all respondents, including Sonia Gandhi, and asked the prosecution to accept notice on behalf of the State. The Court also directed that the Trial Court Record be summoned for a complete assessment of the issues raised.
The matter will be heard again on January 6, when the Sessions Court continues examining the challenge to the Magistrate’s earlier dismissal.
The revision petition arises from a complaint filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi, which the Magistrate had rejected on the grounds that it lacked legal merit and relied entirely on uncertified photocopies of electoral rolls.
The Magistrate also noted that questions relating to citizenship and voter lists fall under the authority of the Central Government and the Election Commission of India—not the criminal court system.
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