New Delhi, September 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Delhi court has set aside an order passed by a magisterial court refusing to direct registration of an FIR over allegations of fraudulent inclusion of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s name in electoral rolls and remanded the matter for fresh consideration.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne directed the concerned Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACJM) to pass a fresh speaking order after hearing the parties, conducting the requisite enquiry and hearing the police officer concerned. The matter has been listed before the ACJM on September 29.
The court observed that allegations involving tampering with or fraudulent inclusion of the name of a voter or a non-citizen in an electoral roll require reasoned consideration to determine whether offences such as forgery or cheating are prima facie made out.
The Special Judge held that there was complete non-application of mind by the ACJM while passing the earlier non-speaking order on whether the allegations disclosed any cognisable offence.
The proceedings stem from a criminal revision petition filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi, challenging the magisterial court’s refusal to order registration of an FIR and investigation into allegations concerning the inclusion of Sonia Gandhi’s name in electoral rolls before she acquired Indian citizenship in 1983.
During the earlier proceedings, Tripathi’s counsel argued that electoral records prima facie indicated that Sonia Gandhi’s name had appeared in a voter list before she acquired Indian citizenship. The counsel submitted that the circumstances warranted an investigation into alleged forgery, fabrication and fraudulent declarations.
Sonia Gandhi’s counsel opposed the revision petition, arguing that the allegations were politically motivated, baseless and based on incorrect and misleading facts.
The magisterial court had earlier dismissed the complaint seeking registration of an FIR, holding that the judiciary could not embark on an enquiry that would result in unwarranted transgression into matters entrusted to constitutional authorities.
The magistrate had also referred to Article 329 of the Constitution, which restricts judicial interference in electoral matters except through election petitions.
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