Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari demands investigation into allegations concerning her voter registration before acquiring Indian citizenship
New Delhi, September 2026 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday questioned the circumstances under which Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s name allegedly appeared in the 1980 electoral rolls, citing a Delhi court order that set aside an earlier decision refusing to direct an investigation into the matter.
The BJP’s remarks came a day after the Rouse Avenue Court set aside a magistrate’s order that had declined a plea seeking registration of an FIR against Gandhi over her alleged inclusion in the electoral roll before she acquired Indian citizenship. The matter has now been remanded for fresh consideration, with the magistrate directed to pass a reasoned order after hearing the relevant parties and obtaining a police status report.
Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari questioned how Gandhi’s name could have appeared in the electoral roll in 1980 when, according to the complaint, she acquired Indian citizenship only on April 30, 1983.
“In 1980, Sonia Gandhi was not a citizen of India. A petition was filed in court in 1980 asking on what basis Sonia Gandhi was allowed to cast a vote when she was not a citizen of India,” Bhandari said.
The BJP leader also raised questions over whether any documents were allegedly used to facilitate the inclusion. He referred to the court’s decision to send the matter back for fresh consideration, arguing that the allegations required examination rather than being dismissed without a detailed assessment.
According to court reports, the complaint was filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi, who alleged that Gandhi’s name appeared in the New Delhi electoral roll in 1980, was deleted in 1982 and appeared again in 1983. The complaint sought police action over alleged forgery and other offences. Gandhi’s side has disputed the allegations, describing the complaint as misconceived and based on assumptions rather than foundational documents.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne criticised the earlier magistrate’s order for being a “non-speaking” order and said it did not adequately consider whether the complaint disclosed a cognisable offence. The court also noted that the magistrate had not sought a police status report or heard the concerned police officer before deciding the matter. However, the sessions court did not itself order registration of an FIR, instead remanding the matter to the magistrate for fresh consideration.
Bhandari referred to provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita while alleging that forgery, if established, could attract criminal liability. He also accused the Congress of hypocrisy over its allegations concerning electoral irregularities, saying those raising “vote chori” claims should answer questions surrounding the electoral-roll controversy.
The BJP spokesperson also targeted Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his recent public event in Indore, arguing that public figures should maintain seriousness and accountability in political discourse.
Bhandari further asked Rahul Gandhi to respond to the allegations involving his mother and questioned whether any assistance was allegedly provided by the government of the time.
The next stage of the case is expected to involve fresh consideration by the magistrate, with the matter scheduled for hearing on September 29. The allegations remain subject to judicial examination, and the court’s latest order does not establish that forgery or any other criminal offence was committed.
