Article 9: Persons Voluntarily Acquiring Citizenship of a Foreign State Not to Be Citizens

No person shall be a citizen of India by virtue of article 5, or be deemed to be a citizen of India by virtue of article 6 or article 8, if he has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of any foreign State.

Explanation

Article 9 is crucial in determining eligibility for Indian citizenship by disqualifying individuals who voluntarily acquire citizenship of a foreign country. This article focuses on dual citizenship and ensures that Indian citizenship remains exclusive.

Prohibition of Dual Citizenship

Article 9 states that no individual shall retain Indian citizenship if they voluntarily obtain citizenship from another country. This applies to persons covered under Articles 5, 6, and 8, ensuring that Indian citizenship is exclusive.

Real-Life Example: Lalit Modi, former commissioner of the IPL, became a UK citizen and is therefore no longer recognized as an Indian citizen under Article 9, despite his historical connection to India.

Voluntary Acquisition of Foreign Citizenship

Article 9 applies specifically to cases where an individual has voluntarily acquired foreign citizenship. This excludes cases where citizenship is automatically conferred without the person’s consent.

Legal Amendments and Real-Life Examples

Although Article 9 has not been amended, its principles have been reinforced in legal rulings. For instance, the case of Satwant Singh Sawhney vs D. Ramarathnam (1967) confirmed that citizenship is relinquished once foreign nationality is obtained, regardless of the circumstances.

Impact on Rights and Privileges

Individuals who lose Indian citizenship under Article 9 no longer hold legal protections or privileges, such as the right to an Indian passport, voting rights, or other constitutional benefits reserved for Indian citizens.