Allahabad HC Dismisses Plea To Revoke Citizenship Of Akshay Kumar & Alia Bhatt,Asks Petitioner To Move Appropriate Forum [Read Judgment]

The court has however granted liberty to the Petitioner to approach the appropriate court having territorial jurisdiction, or the competent authority to look into the matter. The order was passed by a two-Judge bench comprising Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice Manish Kumar.

The Petitioner, Lalta Prasad Pandey had approached the high court stating that the government should seize the citizenship of both Akshay Kumar and Alia Bhatt as they have voluntarily acquired the Citizenship of Canada and the UK, respectively. He argued that both of them should be directed to live in the country of which they are citizens and that they should visit India only on the Visa issued by the government.

Pertinently, Section 9 of the Indian Citizenship Act provides that any citizen of India who by naturalization or registration acquires the citizenship of another country shall cease to be a citizen of India.

Akshay Kumar Row: Understanding Indian Citizenship Law

Nevertheless, the high court dismissed the matter noting that the Petitioner failed to show that the cause of action, wholly or in part, arose within its territorial jurisdiction.

As per Article 226 of the Constitution, every High Court has the power, 'throughout the territories in relation to which it exercises jurisdiction', to issue to any person or authority, orders or writs, for the enforcement of any of the rights conferred by Part III and for any other purpose.

On this note, the court held,

"In our view, no cause of action arose within the territorial jurisdiction of this Court… The learned counsel for the petitioner has failed to show that cause of action, wholly or in part, arose within the territorial jurisdiction of this Court. In light of the aforesaid, we do not find the petition is maintainable before this Court and is dismissed, accordingly. It is however, with liberty to approach the Court having territorial jurisdiction or the Competent Authority."

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Case Details:
Case Title: Lalta Prasad Pandey v. Akshay Kumar & Ors.
Case No.: Misc Bench No. 3975/2020 
Quorum: Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice Manish Kumar
Appearance: Advocates Asok Pande and Vindeshwari Pandey (for Petitioner)

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