"Documents must have been forged": Sambit Patra questions Sonia Gandhi as court issues notice in 1980-81 electoral roll case

New Delhi [India], December 9 : After the Sessions Court at Rouse Avenue issued a notice to Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi in the case over her alleged wrongful inclusion in the 1980-81 electoral rolls, BJP MP Sambit Patra on Tuesday alleged that she had forged her documents back then.
Speaking to reporters in the national capital, Patra said, "Today, a special court in Delhi has issued a notice to Sonia Gandhi. The notice is regarding how her name appeared on India's electoral roll in 1980, at a time when she was not an Indian citizen. She became an India citizen only in 1983. This means that some documents must have been forged."
The Sessions Court at Rouse Avenue today issued notice to Sonia Gandhi while hearing a revision petition challenging the Magistrate's September order dismissing a complaint alleging her wrongful inclusion in the 1980-81 electoral rolls. Sessions Judge Vishal Gogne passed the direction after hearing preliminary submissions on behalf of the revisionist.
The revisionist, Advocate Vikas Tripathi, said that Sonia Gandhi was enrolled on the voter list in 1980, before becoming an India citizen in 1983.
Advocate Tripathi said, "A notice has been issued to Sonia Gandhi and the Delhi Police. Our complaint is that Sonia Gandhi was enrolled on the voter list in 1980, before becoming an India citizen in 1983. What document did she enclose in 1980 to enrol herself in the voter list? Furthermore, in 1982 her name was withdrawn from the list, and then added again in 1983."
Meanwhile, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut hit out at Congress over the case, saying the party is known for corruption. She said, "Congress is known for corruption. There are allegations of scams and corruption against them. She voted without even having citizenship."
Earlier today, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi dismissed allegations against her mother, Sonia Gandhi, calling them an "absolute lie".
Speaking to reporters, she argued that CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi cast her vote only after she became a citizen.
"Do they have any evidence? This is an absolute lie. She voted only after she became a citizen (of India). I don't know why they are after her, even though she is about to turn 80. She has dedicated her whole life to serving the nation. She should be spared at her age now," Gandhi said.
Senior Advocate Pavan Narang, appearing for the revisionist Vikas Tripathi, had argued that the matter warranted reconsideration as the material placed on record indicated serious irregularities in the manner Sonia Gandhi's name was entered into the electoral roll before she became an Indian citizen.
He submitted that "certain documents must have been forged and falsified to get the name in the electoral roll of 1980," emphasising that her name was later deleted and then re-entered in 1983 on the basis of an application filed in January 1983, both instances, according to him, occurring before she acquired citizenship.
After considering the submissions, Judge Gogne issued notice to both respondents, including Sonia Gandhi. The matter is now listed for further hearing on January 6.