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The Telangana High Court delivered a significant verdict on December 10th, 2024, revoking the Indian citizenship of four-time BRS MLA Chennamaneni Ramesh. This decision follows a long-standing legal battle initiated by Congress MLA Adi Srinivas, who alleged that Ramesh had fraudulently maintained both Indian and German citizenships. The court's ruling not only stripped Ramesh of his Indian citizenship but also imposed a substantial fine of Rs 30 lakh. Of this amount, Rs 25 lakh is designated as compensation for Srinivas's legal expenses in pursuing the case, highlighting the gravity of Ramesh's actions and the significance of the legal challenge. The remaining Rs 5 lakh is to be paid to the High Court's Legal Services Authority. This case marks a precedent in Indian legal history, representing the first instance of a former MLA's Indian citizenship being revoked by a court of law.
The core of the case centered on Ramesh's alleged concealment of his German citizenship, obtained after he settled in Germany during the 1990s, where he established a life including marriage and family. Despite acquiring Indian citizenship in 2008, he reportedly retained his German passport, which was renewed as recently as 2033. Evidence presented to the court, including travel records showing three visits to Germany in 2023, underscored Ramesh's continued connection to German citizenship. This blatant disregard for Indian citizenship laws is what ultimately led to the court's decisive action. Justice B Vijaysen Reddy's statement, emphasizing that Ramesh's actions since 2009 deprived genuine Indian citizens of their right to contest elections, further emphasizes the seriousness of his offense. The court's decision serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences of misrepresenting facts related to citizenship.
The Union Home Ministry played a crucial role in the proceedings, having previously cancelled Ramesh's Indian citizenship in 2019. The High Court's upholding of this earlier decision underscores the strength of the case against Ramesh and the thoroughness of the investigation. The court found Ramesh's failure to provide sufficient documentation proving the renunciation of his German citizenship to be damning. This lack of evidence, coupled with the other presented facts, solidified the court’s conclusion that Ramesh was not 'stateless,' as he held a valid German passport. The case also sheds light on the legal framework governing dual citizenship in India. India, unlike many other nations, does not recognize dual citizenship. The Representation of the People Act clearly states that only Indian citizens are eligible to participate in elections, either as candidates or voters, therefore Ramesh's actions violated fundamental tenets of Indian electoral law.
The political implications of this verdict are substantial, particularly for the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party in Telangana. The loss of a senior leader like Ramesh, a four-time elected MLA who served in the Vemulawada constituency, represents a considerable setback for the party. His long political career, marked by four election victories including a by-election, came to an abrupt end due to this legal battle. The case also underscores the vigilance required in vetting candidates for political office and the importance of upholding the integrity of the electoral process. The precedent set by this case may well lead to increased scrutiny of candidates’ citizenship status in future elections, potentially affecting the political landscape in India. The court's decision serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of transparency and adherence to the nation's citizenship laws in public life.
Source: 4-Time MLA Loses Indian Citizenship, Fined Rs 30 Lakh, German Passport Seized