Surya Kant says meeting opposition leaders would be inappropriate as related matters are pending before the Supreme Court, sources say.
TBS Report
12 October, 2026, 01:50 am
Last modified: 12 October, 2026, 01:56 am
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has declined a request to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over allegations of "vote chori", citing judicial propriety as similar matters are pending before the Supreme Court, sources said yesterday (11 October).
Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had written to the chief justice seeking a meeting between 4pm and 5pm on Monday (12 October) to submit a memorandum outlining their demands.
The memorandum called for an end to alleged electoral fraud, 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.
In an email response to the opposition leaders, the chief justice explained why he could not accept their request, according to the sources.
Opposition parties have announced a protest march to the Supreme Court on Monday over the demands, with the Congress calling it the "March for Democracy".