Ahead of the INDIA alliance’s planned march to the Supreme Court on Monday over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision exercise and allegations against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, CJI Surya Kant responded to LoP's letter
Ahead of the INDIA alliance’s planned march to the Supreme Court on Monday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant responded to Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's letter, advising him to invoke the Court’s judicial powers under Article 32 rather than submit a memorandum.
The opposition’s planned "Chalo Dilli – March for Democracy" comes at a time when there are growing concerns over alleged vote theft, irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, and the conduct of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Quick answers to key questions
•5
QUESTIONS
The CJI declined the meeting but did not publicly disclose the specific reason, citing the confidentiality of his letter. The reports also said similar matters were sub judice in the Supreme Court.
He advised Gandhi to invoke the Supreme Court’s judicial powers under Article 32 and file a petition rather than submit a memorandum.
They sought to raise allegations of ‘vote theft’ and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and to present their demands to the CJI.
The reported demands included ending alleged vote theft, halting the SIR exercise and seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The leaders also sought a return to paper ballots.
The alliance planned a march to the Supreme Court and said it would file a petition against alleged vote theft and irregularities in the SIR exercise.
What did CJI Surya Kant tell Rahul Gandhi and Kharge?
According to Bar and Bench, which shared a copy of the letter on social media, CJI Surya Kant told Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge that a "meeting to discuss pending cases would violate the principle of separation of powers and be incompatible with judicial ethics and propriety," and noted that the apex court does not have any "administrative powers to deal with the issues raised in their letter."
Responding to the letter written by Gandhi and Kharge, CJI Surya Kant noted that the issues raised were similar to those listed for a hearing before the court on 13 October. He also advised the opposition leaders to invoke the Court’s judicial powers under Article 32 instead of submitting a memorandum. Further, the leaders were informed that they could file petitions physically on Monday between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm or through e-filing at any time.
The development comes at a time when the INDIA bloc announced its planned march to the Supreme Court to file a petition, seeking an end to ‘vote theft,’ a halt to the SIR exercise, and removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Earlier today, CJI Surya Kant, while addressing the reporters, 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..." The CJI added, "The Supreme Court's doors are open to everyone. Any petition from any common citizen or member of an elected body is welcome. Every Indian citizen has the right to approach the court, and we will hear their concerns and grant whatever is due under the law."
This story will be updated with additional details.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.