Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has declined a request from Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge for a meeting ahead of the INDIA bloc’s planned march to the Supreme Court on Monday, according to the report.
The two Congress leaders had sought an appointment between 4 pm and 5 pm on October 12 to submit a memorandum raising concerns over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, the demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
According to the report, the CJI’s response was communicated to both leaders by email. The issues raised in their request were already pending before the Supreme Court, making a separate meeting inappropriate.
The report also said the court could not intervene in the functioning of the government through its administrative role. The leaders were informed that they could approach the court through the judicial process to seek protection of their fundamental rights.
Why Is the Opposition Protesting?
The Opposition’s protest centres on allegations of wrongful voter deletions and manipulation of electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and have demanded accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The controversy intensified 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, largely over decisions related to the SIR exercise.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that differences of opinion are a normal part of internal deliberations. It has also said its orders are supported by law and follow the prescribed statutory procedures.
The Opposition has been demanding an end to alleged “vote chori”, the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, a halt to the SIR exercise and a return to paper ballots.
Congress Calls for ‘March for Democracy’ in Delhi
The Congress has called Monday’s protest “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy” and asked participants to assemble at the Connaught Place–Barakhamba Road junction in New Delhi at 1.30 pm.
Rahul Gandhi said young people, Opposition parties and civil society groups would take part in the march towards the Supreme Court.
He also accused the police and BJP supporters of assaulting peaceful protesters during demonstrations in Delhi on Saturday.
Kharge said the Opposition leaders wanted to seek the CJI’s intervention over their concerns regarding the electoral process. He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of creating unrest.
Referring to Saturday’s police deployment and detentions, Kharge alleged that the government was apprehensive about the growing protest.
The planned march comes amid escalating tensions between the Opposition and the Election Commission over the revision of electoral rolls and allegations of irregularities in the voter registration process.
Opposition Delegation Meets President Droupadi Murmu
The Opposition’s latest move follows a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu on Friday.
Earlier that day, police stopped Opposition MPs at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. Several MPs staged a sit-in protest, while a 10-member delegation proceeded to Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet the President.
The delegation sought the President’s intervention and demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the alleged electoral irregularities.
Following the meeting, Opposition leaders said President Murmu had sought evidence to support their allegations and agreed to examine their concerns.
Rahul Gandhi later said he was “shocked” that the President had not denied or questioned the allegations raised by the Opposition.
He claimed that evidence of alleged vote theft was known across the country and said the Opposition would submit the material to the President.
The dispute over electoral rolls and the SIR exercise has become a major point of confrontation between the Opposition and the Election Commission.
While Opposition parties are demanding changes to the process and accountability from the poll body’s leadership, the Commission maintains that its decisions follow the law.
With the INDIA bloc preparing to march towards the Supreme Court on Monday, the controversy is expected to remain a key political issue, with the Opposition continuing to press for action over its allegations.
The Supreme Court has not been reported to have made any fresh ruling on the specific demands outlined in the proposed memorandum in connection with the planned march.