Rahul Gandhi: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has opposed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s plea for a no objection certificate (NOC) to obtain a new ordinary passport after he surrendered his diplomatic passport.
Swamy, who is a complainant in the National Herald case, has opposed Gandhi’s recent plea for a no objection certificate (NOC) to obtain a fresh ordinary passport valid for 10 years. Gandhi had surrendered his diplomatic passport after he was disqualified as a Lok Sabha MP.
‘No valid reason for passport’
Swamy filed his response before a Delhi Court, where he argued that Gandhi did not provide a valid or compelling reason for the passport to be issued for 10 years.
In his submission, Swamy highlighted that Rahul Gandhi lacked the merit necessary for the issuance of a passport spanning a decade. He contended that, in the interest of justice, the NOC for Rahul Gandhi’s passport should not exceed one year, subject to annual review or as deemed appropriate by the court.
The BJP leader said the right to hold a passport, like other fundamental rights, is not absolute and can be restricted by the government for reasons such as national security, public order, morality, and prevention of crime.
Rahul Gandhi yet to reply to notice
Subramanian Swamy also alleged that Rahul Gandhi did not respond to a notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) regarding his citizenship. He said the MHA sent a notice to Rahul Gandhi on 29 April 2019 asking Gandhi to reveal the factual position regarding his citizenship within a fortnight.
During the proceedings, Rahul Gandhi’s advocate sought the grant of NOC, saying there are no criminal cases pending against him. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vaibhav Mehta, however, said Swamy had the right to file a reply on the application.
“The applicant ceased to be a Member of Parliament in March 2023 and as such he surrendered his diplomatic passport and is applying for a fresh ordinary passport. By way of the present application, the applicant is seeking permission and no objection from this Court for issuance of fresh ordinary passport to him,” the application said.
The court allowed Swamy to file a written reply and listed the matter for further hearing on May 26.
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