CJI denies meeting to Rahul Gandhi as Delhi security clamps down on CEC protests

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined a meeting request from Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, just ahead of an opposition march to the Supreme Court. The CJI's office confirmed the meeting was declined with reasons sent to his official mail.

Detentions and Protests

Sunday marked the second day of protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities and a Special Intensive Revision exercise. Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas and All India Students' Association president Neha were among the protesters allegedly injured and detained by security forces. In the evening, female SFI activists performing a Tiranga Yatra were detained in Connaught Place after 6 p.m. and taken away in a bus.

CJP Plans and Police Action

Cockroach Janta Party leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, and Ratna Singh announced plans to visit the Parliament Street Police Station at 10 a.m. on Monday to seek a date from Delhi Police for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. Mr. Ranka stated that if police fail to provide a date within 24 hours, the CJP will issue another protest call. The CJP leaders had earlier faced a 24-hour detention after being picked up from an airplane at Delhi airport on Saturday, later being released on a one-year peace bond while expressing fears that their seized phones were cloned or tampered with.

Political Reactions

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot urged people to join a march to the Supreme Court to submit a memorandum against the suppression of protests, accusing the central government of turning Delhi into a fortress while the Election Commission remained a mute spectator to vote theft. TMC leader Derek O'Brien described the police crackdown as ominous for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, citing journalists being picked up from outside the Press Club of India.

Context

These demonstrations follow widespread youth and opposition backlash concerning alleged irregularities in election procedures and administrative measures. The Supreme Court intervened with a special sitting directing authorities to halt illegal detentions and restore normal metro and internet services, reflecting ongoing tensions over civil liberties and the right to peaceful assembly in the capital.