New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has declined to grant an appointment to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and his Rajya Sabha counterpart Mallikarjun Kharge, who wanted to meet him on Monday to raise allegations of “vote chori” and concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The CJI’s office is learnt to have said that the issues were already before the Supreme Court on its judicial side.
The Congress leaders had sought time between 4 pm and 5 pm to present a memorandum. Their demands included an end to alleged electoral malpractice, the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a stop to the SIR exercise, and a return to paper ballots.
In an email sent on Sunday, the CJI’s office said the matter was sub judice and that Justice Surya Kant heads the Bench hearing it. It was therefore considered inappropriate for him to discuss the issue with the Opposition leaders on the administrative side, as reported by The New Indian Express.
The communication also stated that no orders could be passed on the administrative side and that the Supreme Court could not interfere with executive functions. The CJI was said to have advised the Congress leaders to approach the court through a petition, which could be listed on Tuesday.
“The Supreme Court is open 24×7 for all citizens if their fundamental rights are violated,” the email added, according to sources.
Opposition Plans March
The refusal came on the eve of the Opposition’s planned march to the Supreme Court, organised by the Congress under the banner “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy”. Participants have been asked to gather at the Connaught Place–Barakhamba Road junction at 1.30 pm.
In a post on X, Gandhi said the march would bring together citizens across party, gender, caste, community and state lines. Referring to Saturday’s protest, he said, “Yesterday, the nation’s young came out in Delhi to peacefully protest. They came with love in their hearts, not hatred or anger. They were beaten, both by cops and BJP goons. This is not the India we want.”
“Tomorrow, we will march to the Supreme Court as Indians, united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state,” he wrote, adding that youth, Opposition parties, civil society groups and all those who believe in democracy and the Constitution would take part.
Gandhi said the protesters would submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice “on behalf of the nation”, seeking an end to “vote chori”, a halt to SIR and Kumar’s resignation.
He also said, “Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Ajit Doval and Mohan Bhagwat cannot silence India’s voice. These cowards cannot intimidate us. They will have to step aside. We will march together, with love, brotherhood and patriotism. Daro mat.”
Kharge Attacks Govt
Kharge had earlier said in Bengaluru that he and Gandhi had written to the CJI seeking his intervention in the “vote chori” issue. He said they would present their concerns “with folded hands”.
“Chaos is being created in the country by the home minister and the prime minister, and everywhere an undeclared emergency is imposed,” Kharge said. He alleged that the heavy police deployment and detentions during Saturday’s protests reflected the government’s fear of the youth agitation.
The Congress said it would continue its fight to protect the Constitution and voting rights.
Restrictions In Delhi
Meanwhile, police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), shut Metro stations and restricted internet services ahead of the march. .
