Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Monday granted respite to TRS MLA Dr Chennamaneni Ramesh by keeping in abeyance an order issued by the Union home ministry cancelling his Indian citizenship.
Justice Challa Kodandaram was hearing the petition of Dr Ramesh who stated that cancelling his citizenship was in violation of the Indian Citizenship Act and Article 14 of the Constitution.
Dr Ramesh said that though he was granted citizenship by Germany in 1993, he spent most of his time in his native Karimnagar district to serve the people as his parents, who are freedom fighters, had done. The Centre granted him Indian citizenship in 2007 based on the recommendation of the superintendent of police and considering his service to the people.
He told the court that the home ministry had passed the orders without considering his application made before the inquiry panel.
He said that under the Citizenship Act, any aggrieved party may apply to the government within 30 days from the date of his certificate granting Indian citizenship.
He said that though the complainant, Mr Adi Srinivas, who contested against him in the last election, was not an aggrieved party, he was allowed to participate in the proceedings before the inquiry committee. While disposing of the petition, the court directed the home ministry to adjudicate the petition and pass orders in six weeks.
