NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to allow an urgent hearing on a petition seeking its direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a case against Rahul Gandhi in the citizenship row.

The plea, filed on Monday, sought the top court's direction to the CBI to register a case against the Congress vice-president for allegedly declaring himself a British national.

Recently, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had alleged that Rahul had claimed himself to be a British national before the UK company law authorities in connection with the incorporation of a firm.

Last week, Swamy, in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had alleged that Rahul had declared himself as a British national in the annual return of Backops Limited in Britain. The company was incorporated in 2003 and dissolved in 2009.

"Gandhi has given his date of birth correctly but has declared himself to be of British nationality with a UK address," Swamy's letter to Modi said. It said the Congress leader has "prima facie, committed an unconstitutional act and therefore be liable to be stripped of his citizenship and membership of the Lok Sabha".

Breaking his silence on Swamy's allegations last week, Rahul had dared PM Modi to act on them. "They are using their chamchas to throw dirt at me. I challenge the Prime Minister… show your 56-inch chest and use all the agencies available with the government to probe me for six months. And lock me up if I am found guilty," he said.

