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

The issue of documents to prove citizenship in the country is being discussed a lot 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 these as proof of citizenship. This decision has raised questions in the minds of many people as to which documents actually prove citizenship.

Generally people consider Aadhaar, PAN, and Voter ID to be the most reliable. But from a legal point of view, these have limitations. In such a situation, it is important to understand what are the real proofs of citizenship are. 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, Aadhaar, and voter card as proof of citizenship. People often consider these documents as proof of citizenship. But the Bombay High Court recently clearly said 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 has been 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 legally prove citizenship.

This document is necessary to prove citizenship 

Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID 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 real 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.