Rahul Gandhi vs ECI: 11 INDIA bloc leaders file petition over SIR deletions

Rahul Gandhi and 10 Opposition leaders have filed a Supreme Court petition against the Election Commission over alleged voter deletions and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision.

In Short

• Opposition holds 'March for Democracy' to SC, files petition against EC
• INDIA bloc leaders seek SC's intervention in voter deletions, SIR irregularities
• Rahul Gandhi urges CEC Gyanesh Kumar to resign and become approver

INDIA bloc leaders, led by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, on Monday filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the electoral roll revisions.

The petition has sought a declaration that the decision to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was invalid. It has also sought judicial scrutiny of the legal validity of the SIR exercise, alleging that the ECI's decision amounted to a colourable exercise of power, sources said.

It also raised concerns over restrictions on peaceful demonstrations, citing recent police crackdowns in Delhi, including mass detentions and heightened security barricades.

The petition was filed after INDIA bloc MPs and supporters took out a 'March for Democracy' towards the Supreme Court to protest the alleged electoral irregularities in the SIR. Gandhi’s legal team subsequently filed the plea on behalf of the Congress leader and other Opposition leaders.

The public interest litigation (PIL) named 11 Opposition leaders as petitioners: Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, CPI(M) leader MA Baby, CPI leader D Raja, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Mahua Majhi, NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule and IUML leader ET Mohammed Basheer.

The Election Commission has been named as one of the four respondents in the plea. Further details of the petition, including the specific directions sought, are yet to be made public.

The Supreme Court petition came after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined the INDIA bloc leaders' request for a meeting to submit a memorandum, noting that discussing matters pending before the court would go against the principle of separation of powers. The CJI noted that discussing issues already pending before the Supreme Court in such a meeting would go against the principle of separation of powers.

Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the petition addressed various aspects of the SIR exercise as well as restrictions imposed on peaceful demonstrations. He said leaders from different Opposition parties had joined the legal challenge by signing the petition.

Responding to questions about the Opposition's earlier attempt to meet Chief Justice, Singhvi denied that the leaders had sought to exert pressure on the judiciary. He said they had written a letter requesting an appointment and, after being advised to file a petition, proceeded with the legal route.

Singhvi also defended the march, describing the turnout as a spontaneous expression of public anger and dissatisfaction. He denied allegations that people had been paid to participate, maintaining that those who joined the demonstration had done so voluntarily.

He did not specify a timeline for the hearing or resolution of the petition.

The 'March for Democracy' was led by Gandhi and Kharge and joined by several Opposition MPs, political leaders and activists. They gathered at the Constitution Club before travelling towards the Barakhamba Road junction in four air-conditioned buses and proceeding on foot towards the Supreme Court.

However, Delhi Police stopped the procession at the barricaded Bhagwan Dass Road. After the march was halted, some leaders, including Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, climbed atop a vehicle.

The opposition's demonstration came amid restrictions on protests in the national capital. Delhi Police issued an order on October 11 designating Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as sites for demonstrations, after Jantar Mantar was denotified as a designated protest venue.

The Congress criticised the restrictions, accusing the government of curbing peaceful demonstrations. Party leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the authorities had dealt harshly with public protests and said democracy had become a matter of "Demokursi".

TURN APPROVER, RAHUL TELLS GYANESH KUMAR

Earlier, Gandhi had announced his decision to approach the Supreme Court after the Chief Justice of India declined a request for a meeting with the Leaders of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters, Gandhi called on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign and "turn approver", alleging that the ECI chief was not the person behind the alleged wrongdoing.

"Resign, turn approver; you (Kumar) have made a mistake but you are not the mind behind the mistake," Gandhi said.

Gandhi asserted that the Opposition's campaign would continue for as long as necessary. He also claimed that around 200 government officers were in touch with the Opposition and providing it with information.

- Ends