CJI Surya Kant Refuses To Meet Rahul Gandhi, Says Electoral Issues Must Be Raised On Judicial Side
Chief Justice of India cites pendency of related matters before the Supreme Court; Congress leaders had sought a meeting to address SIR and other electoral issues.
The CJI's decision comes amid a series of protests by the opposition in Delhi over the SIR exercise, alleged electoral irregularities.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has declined a request by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other Opposition leaders to meet him over allegations of electoral irregularities, saying that related issues are already pending before the Supreme Court and must be pursued through judicial proceedings.
The Congress leaders had earlier said that they had secured an appointment with the CJI between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday, October 12, to submit a memorandum raising concerns over alleged “vote chori”, the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the recent police action against protesters in Delhi.
CJI conveyed that the Supreme Court could not entertain the proposed memorandum or issue directions on such matters through its administrative side. He indicated that the leaders were free to approach the Court through the appropriate judicial process.
The development comes ahead of a planned Opposition march to the Supreme Court today under the banner “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy”, announced by Gandhi amid the continuing political controversy over electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
CJI said that issues raised by the Congress leaders were already sub judice before the Supreme Court.
The Court's administrative side cannot be used to issue judicial directions or intervene in the functioning of the executive, the CJI said.
CJI Kant also indicated that the leaders could file a petition raising their grievances, which could be considered by the Court in accordance with law.
Gandhi and Kharge had written to the CJI requesting an opportunity to hand over a memorandum setting out their concerns.
The memorandum was expected to press for an end to alleged “vote chori”, the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the suspension of the SIR exercise and a return to paper ballots.
They have alleged that the electoral process and the revision of voter lists raise serious questions about the fairness and transparency of elections and called for judicial scrutiny of the functioning of the Election Commission.