Rahul Gandhi Citizenship Case: ED Records Statement of BJP Complainant in FEMA Probe
The Enforcement Directorate has recorded S Vignesh Shishir’s statement, who is the complainant of the Rahul Gandhi-Ginshberg citizenship scandal, in its investigation under the Foreign Exchange Management Act. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recorded the statement of Karnataka BJP worker S Vignesh Shishir, who is involved in the Rahul Gandhi citizenship controversy. This was part of its ongoing investigation under FEMA.
The ED has summoned Shishir to testify and produce any documentation supporting his allegations regarding Gandhi’s alleged double citizenship. Shishir told reporters in front of the ED that he had evidence that Rahul Gandhi is British. He has shared this information with the Central Bureau of Investigation in Lucknow.
According to the complainant, the British government has sent him documents and email messages that prove Gandhi is British. Shishir claims that this dual citizenship will make Gandhi ineligible for Indian elections or to hold any parliamentary offices.
ED began its FEMA probe into Rahul’s citizenship four years ago. However, this is the first official recording of Shishir’s statement by the agency. The probe, according to officials familiar with the case, examines possible foreign exchange violations in relation to the allegations of citizenship.
Shishir’s case attracted judicial attention when the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court ordered round-the-clock security on 28 August. It was noted that Shishir faces threats constantly while trying to pursue cases against powerful individuals and that he must face Raebareli’s investigating officers. The court felt that this matter needed consideration.
The court’s interim order acknowledged Shishir’s claims that he appeared before the CBI multiple times in Delhi to provide evidence regarding Gandhi’s claimed British citizenship. In June 2024, the complainant made his first complaint, which led to an ongoing CBI investigation. However, the agency had not yet released any statements about the case.
Sources within the government indicate that Centre officials have already contacted British authorities to discuss this question of citizenship. As multiple agencies continue to investigate the allegations and examine their possible implications for Indian election law, this case is still unfolding.
This investigation is a complicated intersection between citizenship laws, foreign exchange regulations, and electoral eligibility. Both the ED (Elections Department) and CBI (Criminal Bureau of Investigation) are expected to examine the evidence provided by the complainant in full as the investigation continues.
Enforcement Directorate
Enforcement Directorate, a government law enforcement agency, is part of the Department of Revenue in India’s Ministry of Finance. The ED enforces economic laws, fights economic crimes and is in charge of enforcing the Foreign Exchange Management Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
