HC Issues Notices to Benaulim MLA on Dual Citizenship Allegations

The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court issued a notice to the Benaulim MLA Caitano D’Silva of the Goa Vikas Party in an election petition filed by defeated Congress candidate Valanka Alemao (daughter of Churchill Alemao, who also lost the elections) against him seeking his disqualification.

Justice AP Lavande issued a notice after hearing the petition challenging the Benaulim MLA’s election to the Goa assembly. The petitioner alleged that D’Silva holds dual citizenship.

Alemao sought D’Silva’s disqualification on the grounds that he had acquired a Portuguese passport on July 21, 2010 and had now allegedly attained citizenship of that country.

Alemao prayed that the election be invalidated because D’Silva ceased to be an Indian citizen after acquiring citizenship of Portugal.