New Delhi: Developments on the streets were a matter for authorities dealing with law and order, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said on Monday, drawing a clear distinction between the recent protests in Delhi and the role of the Supreme Court.
“Ye law and order ka mudda hai. Ye mera vishay nahin hai (This is a law-and-order issue. It is not my domain),” he said, in response to a question by journalists about the protests and restrictions imposed in the capital.
The CJI was speaking on the sidelines of an event in Delhi marking the 33rd anniversary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The national capital has witnessed several days of demonstrations over demands for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The protests have centred on allegations of irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Security has been tightened in Delhi since October 9, following a call by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar from October 10. More than 20,000 security personnel were deployed across the city, while 45 Metro stations were closed on Saturday. Security checks were also intensified at entry points along Delhi’s borders.
Several protesters were detained on October 10, including top politicians and CJP leaders.
The CJI, on Monday, also spoke about the INDI bloc’s request to meet him over the electoral roll controversy.
Anyone seeking judicial intervention could approach the Supreme Court, including ordinary citizens and elected representatives, he said. However, the Chief Justice made it clear that he could not hold a meeting with Opposition leaders to discuss matters that are already before the court.
He received a request for a meeting on Sunday and sent his response the same night, CJI Kant said, explaining why such a meeting could not take place.
While he did not disclose the contents of his response at the time, saying the communication was confidential, the Congress subsequently released the letter on its official X account.
In the letter, the Chief Justice said the issues raised by Congress leaders were already pending before the Supreme Court. He said discussing such matters separately in a meeting would not be consistent with the constitutional principle of separation of powers or with judicial propriety.
The Supreme Court does not exercise administrative authority over the issues mentioned in the Opposition’s request, the CJI also clarified.
He also pointed out that the court can examine concerns affecting citizens through its judicial jurisdiction. He referred to Article 32 of the Constitution and the Supreme Court’s powers of judicial review in this context.
