Guwahati: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant has declined a request from INDIA bloc leaders for a meeting to submit a memorandum over alleged electoral irregularities, asking them to pursue the matter through the judicial process instead.

The opposition leaders had sought an appointment with the CJI between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday, ahead of their planned march to the Supreme Court. According to a report by LiveLaw, citing sources, the CJI conveyed his decision through an email, stating that a meeting would be inappropriate because the issues raised were already sub judice before the court.

The response reportedly noted that the concerns raised by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the delegation should be addressed through formal judicial proceedings rather than by submitting a representation through administrative channels.

The CJI also reportedly clarified that the court could not intervene in the functioning of the government through its administrative role. The leaders were advised to approach the court through the appropriate legal process if they sought protection of their fundamental rights.

Rahul Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had requested the meeting to submit a memorandum seeking action over alleged electoral irregularities, including claims of “vote chori”, concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Opposition plans ‘March for Democracy’

The opposition’s proposed march, announced under the banner “Chalo Delhi-March for Democracy”, is scheduled for Monday. Congress has asked participants to assemble at the Connaught Place–Barakhamba Road junction at 1.30 pm.

In a video message posted on X, Gandhi said opposition parties, young people and civil society groups would participate in the march.

He said the participants would approach the Supreme Court as citizens, united across political affiliations, gender, caste, community and state.

The opposition intends to raise concerns over alleged electoral irregularities, demand the CEC’s resignation, call for a halt to the SIR exercise and seek a return to paper ballots.

INDIA bloc leaders met President Droupadi Murmu

The request to meet the CJI followed a meeting between INDIA bloc leaders and President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, during which the opposition submitted a memorandum outlining four key demands.

These included the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, the scrapping of Assembly elections held over the preceding two years, suspension of the SIR exercise and restoration of paper ballots.

The memorandum also sought the restoration of 13.30 crore voters allegedly removed from electoral rolls.

After the meeting, Gandhi said he was surprised that the President had not dismissed the opposition’s allegations of “vote chori” and had instead asked the leaders to provide evidence.

“I was shocked that the president did not deny Vote Chori. Instead, she asked us to bring her proof. We will bring her a mountain of it,” he wrote on X.

BJP criticises Rahul Gandhi’s remarks

The BJP criticised Gandhi over his comments following the meeting with the President, accusing him of drawing the constitutional office into a political confrontation.

BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said the President’s acceptance of a memorandum did not mean she endorsed the allegations contained in it.

Patra accused Gandhi of attempting to involve the President in what he described as political agitation.

Supreme Court proceedings on SIR

The developments come amid ongoing legal challenges concerning the Election Commission of India’s electoral roll revision exercise and decisions taken by the Chief Election Commissioner.

In May 2026, a bench led by CJI Surya Kant upheld the Election Commission’s authority to conduct the SIR exercise, according to the supplied report.

The CJI-led bench is also hearing petitions challenging certain decisions of the Chief Election Commissioner, which the petitioners allege were taken without the concurrence of the other Election Commissioners.

The INDIA bloc’s planned march is expected to bring its objections to electoral processes and its demands for institutional accountability into renewed public focus.