THE GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH vs SYED MOHD. KHAN

The Supreme Court held that under Section 9(2) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, the mere possession of a foreign passport does not automatically result in the cessation of Indian citizenship. The Court emphasized that the Central Government must first determine whether an individual has acquired citizenship of a foreign state before any deportation orders can be issued. The ruling clarified that the High Court's finding that Rule 3 of Schedule III of the Citizenship Rules was ultra vires does not preclude the Central Government from making a decision on citizenship status.