The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Vignesh Shishir, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in connection with a petition he filed in the Allahabad High Court alleging that Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, holds British citizenship. Shishir has been directed to appear before the ED on September 9 to provide all evidence and documents related to his claim, as per the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

Shishir's petition seeks the cancellation of Rahul Gandhi's Indian citizenship, arguing that Gandhi allegedly acquired UK citizenship through his business dealings in the United Kingdom. The ED is interested in determining whether the information Shishir possesses reveals any violations of FEMA or undeclared banking transactions and income abroad.

According to Shishir, he has documents and emails from the British government that confirm Rahul Gandhi's British citizenship. He argues that since India does not allow dual citizenship, Gandhi should be barred from voting and disqualified from contesting elections.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has ordered the Union government to provide round-the-clock security for Shishir, citing threats he has faced due to his pursuit of the case against a "very powerful individual". The court also noted that Shishir has been summoned by police in Raebareli district as part of a separate investigation.

Shishir claims that he initially filed a complaint in June 2024, which led to a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He stated that he has appeared before the CBI in Delhi on multiple occasions, presenting evidence of Gandhi's alleged British citizenship. The central government has informed the court that it has contacted the UK government to seek details regarding Gandhi's citizenship status. The next hearing in the High Court is scheduled for October 9. The Congress party has declined to comment on the matter.