CJI Not Inclined to Meet Opposition Leaders Before Their March to Supreme Court

CJI Surya Kant Declines Meeting with Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Ahead of Opposition’s Supreme Court March

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has declined to meet Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge ahead of the INDIA bloc’s planned march to the Supreme Court on Monday, sources told India Today.

The two leaders had requested a meeting between 4 pm and 5 pm on October 12 to submit a memorandum outlining the Opposition’s concerns over alleged electoral irregularities. Their demands include an end to alleged “vote chori”, the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a return to paper ballots.

According to sources, the CJI communicated his decision to both leaders by email. He reportedly explained that the issues they intended to raise were already pending before the Supreme Court, making a meeting inappropriate.

Sources also said the court could not use its administrative role to intervene in the functioning of the government. The Opposition leaders were advised to approach the court through judicial proceedings if they wished to seek protection of their fundamental rights.

Confirming that he had received the request, CJI Surya Kant said, “I received a letter yesterday regarding a meeting request, and I responded to it last night, outlining the reasons why I will be unable to meet.”

Why Is the Opposition Protesting?

The Opposition’s agitation centres on allegations of wrongful voter deletions and manipulation of electoral rolls during the SIR exercise. Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of favouring the BJP and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The controversy gained momentum following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over a period of 10 months, primarily concerning decisions related to SIR.

The Election Commission, however, has maintained that differences of opinion are a normal part of the decision-making process. It has also defended its orders, stating that they are legally supported and comply with established statutory procedures.

Opposition Calls for ‘March for Democracy’

The Congress has named Monday’s protest “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy” and asked participants to assemble at the Connaught Place–Barakhamba Road junction at 1.30 pm.

Rahul Gandhi said young people, Opposition parties and civil society groups would join the march towards the Supreme Court. He also accused the police and BJP supporters of assaulting peaceful demonstrators in Delhi on Saturday.

Mallikarjun Kharge said the Opposition leaders wanted to seek the CJI’s intervention in the matter. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of creating unrest and alleged that the heavy police deployment and detentions during Saturday’s protest reflected the government’s apprehension over the movement.

Opposition Delegation Meets President Droupadi Murmu

The Opposition’s efforts to escalate the issue continued on Friday, when police stopped several MPs at Vijay Chowk. While some leaders staged a sit-in, a 10-member delegation went to Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet President Droupadi Murmu and seek her intervention for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Following the meeting, Opposition leaders said the President had asked them to provide evidence supporting their allegations of electoral irregularities and had agreed to examine their concerns.

Rahul Gandhi later said he was “shocked” that the President had neither denied nor questioned the allegations. Claiming that evidence of alleged vote theft was widely known across the country, he said the Opposition would submit the relevant material to the President.