CJI Surya Kant declines Rahul Gandhi meet over vote chori plea

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined Rahul Gandhi's request for a meeting on alleged vote chori. The refusal, citing pending proceedings, has sharpened the opposition's push for a Supreme Court march.

In Short

• Congress sought action on electoral rolls, ballot papers and poll watchdog
• Chief justice advised filing a petition, saying court access remains open
• Opposition parties plan a Delhi march under the March for Democracy banner

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has declined to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over allegations of "vote chori", saying similar matters are sub judice before the Supreme Court on the judicial side, sources said on Sunday.

Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who are the Leaders of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively, had written to the CJI seeking a meeting between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday. They wanted to hand over a memorandum demanding an end to "vote chori", the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a halt to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and a return to the paper ballot format.

The opposition parties have announced a march to the Supreme Court on Monday over these demands. The Congress has called it "Chalo Delhi - March for Democracy", and leaders are scheduled to gather at the Connaught Place-Barakhamba Road junction at 1.30 pm.

In response to Gandhi's request, the CJI said no orders could be passed on the administrative side and asked him to file a petition on the judicial side, which could be taken up on Tuesday, the sources said.

The CJI also said the Supreme Court is open 24x7 for all citizens if their fundamental rights are violated, the sources added. He further said the court cannot interfere with the functions of the executive on the administrative side.

Earlier, Gandhi said in a post on X that the march to the Supreme Court would be taken out by Indians united beyond party lines, gender, caste, community and state.

"Yesterday, the nation's young came out in Delhi to peacefully protest. They came with love in their hearts, not hatred or anger. They were beaten, both by cops and BJP goons. This is not the India we want.

"Tomorrow, we will march to the Supreme Court as Indians, united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state. Youth, all opposition parties, civil society groups, and all those who believe in democracy and stand by the Constitution of India will walk with us," Gandhi said in the post.

On Friday, leaders of various opposition parties in the INDIA bloc marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk and later submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu.

Speaking in Bengaluru, Kharge said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had "created chaos" across the country, and that the heavy police deployment and detentions during protests on Saturday showed the government's "fear" of the youth agitation.

"We have sought time (with the CJI) between 4 and 5 pm. We will apprise him, as we cannot demand. We can only request him with folded hands," Kharge said.

"Chaos is being created in the country by the home minister and the prime minister; an undeclared emergency has been imposed," Kharge said.

In sum, the CJI has declined to meet Gandhi on the issue, citing pending proceedings, while the opposition is set to march to the Supreme Court on Monday and press its demands over the electoral process.

- Ends