Delhi Court Revives Complaint Against Sonia Gandhi Over Voter Roll

A Delhi sessions court on Monday set aside a magistrate's order that had dismissed a complaint against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, directing a fresh hearing on allegations she was included in the electoral roll before becoming an Indian citizen. Special Judge Vishal Gogne ruled the lower court's order was improperly reasoned and failed to adequately consider whether the complaint disclosed a cognizable offence. The complaint, filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi, alleges Gandhi's name appeared in the New Delhi electoral roll in 1980, was deleted in 1982, and reappeared in 1983, before she acquired Indian citizenship in April 1983. Tripathi sought the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) for offences including forgery and cheating. The magistrate court had dismissed the complaint in September 2025, holding it could not encroach on the Election Commission's jurisdiction and that the allegations were based on uncertified photocopies. Tripathi challenged that decision before the sessions court. In setting aside the magistrate's order, Judge Gogne stated it was a "complete non-speaking order" that suffered from a "non-application of mind.