New Delhi, 16 May (H.S.): After the hearing in the voter list case against Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi was deferred, petitioner advocate Vikas Tripathi has accused her of deliberately delaying the proceedings. He said Sonia Gandhi’s lawyers have repeatedly sought adjournments on the pretext of limited time, causing further delay in the hearing.

Speaking to reporters in the court complex, Advocate Vikas Tripathi said the court had directed him to file documents received from the Election Commission, and all such documents have been submitted before the court.

Despite this, arguments from the opposition side did not take place. He alleged that the case is being repeatedly pushed ahead by taking “date after date.”

He said Sonia Gandhi’s lawyers were not present in court in person even today and joined through video conferencing. The next hearing in the matter has now been scheduled for July 4.

Tripathi said arguments from the opposition side had been deferred earlier as well. He said he remains present in court and has filed the necessary documents, but the other side is not proceeding with arguments. He described this as a strategy to delay the hearing.

It is noteworthy that the hearing in the Sessions Court at Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, regarding a plea seeking the registration of an FIR in the alleged 1980 voter list case involving Sonia Gandhi, was adjourned on Saturday. Special Judge Vishal Gogane has fixed the next hearing for July 4.

A report from the Election Commission was filed in court on behalf of the petitioner.

Earlier, on April 18, the court had directed both sides to submit written arguments.

Advocate Vikas Tripathi has challenged in the Sessions Court the order of the Magistrate Court rejecting the plea for registration of an FIR. On December 9, 2025, the court had issued notices to Sonia Gandhi and the Delhi Police.

The petition alleges that Sonia Gandhi applied for Indian citizenship in April 1983. It claims that, in order to have her name entered in the voter list in 1980, forged documents may have been used, which would amount to a cognisable offence. The petition seeks a court order directing the registration of an FIR against Sonia Gandhi.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar