Bombay HC seeks documents on Supriya Sule's citizenship

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court today issued a Letter of Request to the Consulate General of Singapore, seeking documents regarding alleged citizenship status of NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule in that country. The court was hearing an application of Mrunalini Kakade, who has filed an election petition challenging the Baramati MP’s election to the Lok Sabha in 2009, alleging, among other things, that she held citizenship of Singapore then. [caption id=“attachment_200686” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“According to the election petition, Sule owes “adherence and allegiance” to Singapore, where she had purchased property and had investments along with her husband. Screen grab from IBNLive”]  [/caption] Kakade had said the court should issue summons to Mahendran Muthusamy, councillor officer in the Consulate General’s office, for deposing before HC, and also direct him to produce all documents pertaining to the citizenship status of Sule. Kakade also alleged that Sule and her father were using their influence to prevent officials from giving information. Justice JH Bhatia today however refused to summon Muthusamy to the court for deposition, but issued a letter of request seeking documents by 14 February. The court is presently conducting a trial to decide the dispute about Sule’s citizenship. According to the election petition, Sule owes “adherence and allegiance” to Singapore, where she had purchased property and had investments along with her husband. According to the petition, under Singapore law, once a person purchases property there, he or she becomes a permanent resident of that country. Sule has maintained that she was and is a citizen of India. PTI