Guwahati: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging alleged large-scale deletions from electoral rolls and irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
The move comes a day after Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant declined a request from Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for a meeting to discuss the alleged electoral irregularities, the SIR exercise and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
In an email response sent on Sunday, the CJI’s office said the matter was already pending before the court and advised the Congress leaders to approach it through a formal petition if they seek judicial intervention.
The communication stated that Surya Kant heads the bench hearing the matter and could not issue directions following an administrative meeting with the political leaders.
“If Rahul Gandhi and Kharge want to be heard on the issue, they are free to file a petition,” the email response said, adding that the matter was listed for Tuesday and that a petition could be filed in advance. It also said the leaders could seek judicial protection of their fundamental rights.
Gandhi and Kharge had earlier sought an appointment with the CJI on Monday between 4 pm and 5 pm. They intended to submit a memorandum demanding an end to what they described as “vote chori”, a halt to the SIR exercise and the resignation of CEC Kumar.
Gandhi had also announced a march by INDIA bloc leaders to the Supreme Court on October 13, amid escalating tensions over the electoral revision process.
Reacting to the treatment of protesters in Delhi, Gandhi said young people had gathered peacefully with “love in their hearts, not hatred”, but were allegedly beaten by police and BJP workers. “This is not the India we want,” he said.
The request for a meeting with the CJI came amid protests in the national capital over the SIR exercise. Delhi Police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), while Metro stations were shut and internet restrictions were imposed, drawing criticism.
On Sunday, a special two-judge bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana held an extraordinary hearing and found a prima facie case of contempt over alleged violations of its October 9 order concerning protests and Metro closures.
The bench directed that Metro and railway services operate normally, public movement remain unrestricted, barricades be removed and internet services be restored. It also ordered that lawyers should not be obstructed.
Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of creating an “undeclared Emergency”, alleging that the government is afraid of young people demanding that democracy and voting rights be protected.
The Congress said it would continue its campaign to defend the Constitution and electoral rights.
On Sunday, Kharge had told media that he and Gandhi were scheduled to meet the CJI on Monday between 4 pm and 5 pm to discuss the SIR issue. The CJI’s office subsequently rejected the request, clarifying that the leaders could instead seek relief through the judicial process.