In Brief
Pranav Srinivasan sought to resume Indian citizenship, claiming entitlement under constitutional provisions and the Citizenship Act, 1955. Born in Singapore to parents who voluntarily acquired Singapore citizenship before his birth, he argued he qualified under Article 8 of the Constitution and Section 8(2) of the 1955 Act. The Supreme Court held that Article 8 applies only to persons ordinarily residing outside India on the Constitution's commencement date, not foreign nationals born thereafter. Section 8(2)—permitting resumption within one year of majority—applies only where parents voluntarily renounced citizenship under Section 8(1); when parents lose citizenship involuntarily under Section 9(1) upon acquiring foreign citizenship, Section 8(2) does not apply. The Court rejected Article 142 relief and allowed only an option to apply under Section 5(1)(f) or seek relaxation under Section 5(1A).
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