Chief Justice declines Congress meeting request as Opposition moves forward with Supreme Court march

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has turned down a request by the Congress party for a meeting to submit a memorandum regarding electoral rolls and the Chief Election Commissioner. In his reply, the CJI gave four reasons for refusing the meeting. He stated that the issues raised by the Opposition, including the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and matters concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar, are already pending before the court. The CJI pointed out that under the constitutional scheme, the court lacks the power to take cognisance of such grievances on the administrative side. He noted that the court holds the power of judicial review under Article 32, adding that if any petition highlighting these grievances is filed on Monday, it will be taken up for hearing the following day alongside pending matters. Furthermore, he reiterated the court's commitment to protecting citizens' fundamental rights and stated its doors remain open.

March Plans

Hours before the CJI's response, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi issued a Chalo Dilli call urging students, civil society groups, and opposition parties to join a march to the Supreme Court. The march is scheduled to start at 1.30 pm from the Connaught Place-Barakhamba Road junction and finish at the Supreme Court two kilometres away. Gandhi stated in a video message that the participants would demand an end to vote theft, a halt to the Special Intensive Revision, and the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. He also accused police and BJP workers of beating peaceful young protesters in Delhi. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the Opposition only wants to place its concerns before the CJI with folded hands and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of creating chaos and an undeclared Emergency. Apart from Gandhi and Kharge, leaders expected to join include Akhilesh Yadav, P Sandosh Kumar, M A Baby, John Brittas, and Derek O'Brien, with workers mobilised from neighbouring states.

Context

This development comes amidst ongoing protests and a heavy police crackdown on student groups and demonstrators in central Delhi over the past week. The Supreme Court functions under specific constitutional guidelines that separate administrative duties from judicial proceedings, requiring formal petitions for matters to be heard judicially. Political parties frequently use public demonstrations and memorandums to draw judicial and public attention to electoral and governance controversies.