These documents are essential to prove citizenship. Are you relying on Aadhaar-PAN and Voter ID?

Citizenship Proof Document: Bombay High Court said Aadhaar, PAN, and Voter ID are not proof of citizenship. Know which document you must have to prove your citizenship.

The issue related to documents to prove citizenship in the country is in a lot of discussion these days. Recently, the Bombay High Court refused to grant bail to an alleged Bangladeshi man from Thane. He had Aadhaar, PAN, and Voter ID. But the court clearly refused to accept them as proof of citizenship. This decision has raised questions in the minds of many people as to which documents really prove citizenship.

Usually people consider Aadhaar, PAN and Voter ID to be the most reliable. But from a legal point of view, they have limitations. In such a situation, it is important to understand what are the real proofs of citizenship. So that you do not have to get into trouble when needed. Let us tell you which document is necessary to prove citizenship.

PAN-Aadhaar and Voter Card are not proof of citizenship

These days, there is a lot of debate in the country about the proof of citizenship. During the recent voter list revision in Bihar, many people were presenting PAN, Aadhar and Voter Card as proof of citizenship. People often consider these documents as proof of citizenship. But the Bombay High Court recently made it clear in the case of an alleged Bangladeshi man from Thane that these documents are only proof of identity and address, not of citizenship.

Let us tell you that this person was living in India since 2013, but the court cancelled his bail under the Citizenship Act 1955. The Supreme Court has also clarified earlier that the purpose of Aadhaar is to ensure identity. Not to prove citizenship. PAN is for tax and voter ID is for voting. But it does not prove citizenship legally.

These documents are necessary to prove citizenship

Aadhaar, PAN or Voter ID alone are not enough to prove citizenship. These documents are proof of identity and address, not of citizenship. To legally prove citizenship, documents like birth certificate, valid Indian passport, birth or citizenship entry in government register, or citizenship certificate issued by the Government of India are valid. Courts also consider these as genuine evidence. If you are born in India, then birth certificate is the strongest document. In case of birth abroad, documents of Indian citizenship of parents have to be presented.