Akhya Pandey
On 28th August 2025 the Allahabad High Court has directed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to provide security to S. Vignesh Shishir, the petitioner who filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) questioning Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship. The Court said that since the petitioner is pursuing cases against a political figure of national importance, his safety must be ensured.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Sangeeta Chandra and Justice Brij Raj Singh passed the order. The Court observed that the petitioner had approached several forums, including the Prime Minister’s Office and investigating agencies, but did not receive any protective response despite raising concerns about threats to his life.
Shishir, a Karnataka-based advocate and BJP worker, has been involved in multiple legal proceedings, including a writ seeking to challenge Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s election from Wayanad and representations alleging financial irregularities and misuse of corporate structures by the Gandhi family. He told the court that his legal actions had exposed him to constant intimidation.
During the hearing, the Deputy Solicitor General S. B. Pandey, assisted by Advocate Anand Dwivedi, acknowledged that under the Witness Protection Scheme, citizens involved in sensitive cases are entitled to safety measures. He submitted that interim protection could be extended until the authorities take a final call on the petitioner’s representation for Y-plus category security cover.
Taking note of the urgency, the court ordered that a Personal Security Officer (PSO) from the Central Armed Police Forces be immediately deployed for the petitioner. The judges made it clear that litigants must not be left vulnerable simply because they take up causes against influential personalities.
The Bench also directed the Centre and concerned respondents to file their counter-affidavit before the next date of hearing, attaching any decision already taken on the petitioner’s request for security forwarded through the PMO.
The matter will now be taken up on 9th October 2025, when the High Court will examine whether the interim arrangement should continue and whether the petitioner is entitled to further protection.
Click here to access the order.
Bench: Justice Sangeeta Chandra and Justice Brij Raj Singh
Case Name: S. Vignesh Shishir v. Union of India & Ors.
Citation: 2025 SCC OnLine All 2345 (interim order, 28 August 2025)
Case Number: PIL (Civil) No. 2673 of 2025
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