CJI Surya Kant Declines Meeting With Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Ahead of Opposition March; Says Issues Are Sub Judice, Approach Court
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has declined a request from Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, along with other Opposition leaders, to meet him on Monday, October 12, 2026, to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The decision was conveyed on Sunday, October 11, according to sources cited by The Tribune, Bar & Bench and NDTV. There was no formal public statement from the Supreme Court in the reports reviewed.
What the Congress leaders wanted
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, had written to the CJI seeking a meeting between 4 and 5 PM on Monday, Siasat reported. Bar & Bench said they wanted to raise concerns over alleged electoral irregularities, the SIR exercise and police action against protesters. They planned to submit a memorandum.
Why the CJI declined
According to sources quoted in the reports:
- Matters already before the court: The CJI said the issues were sub judice, with related matters pending in the Supreme Court and listed for hearing on Tuesday, October 13.
- No administrative directions: Since the leaders intended to submit a memorandum, the CJI reportedly said the Supreme Court cannot pass directions on such issues on its administrative side.
- Go to court instead: The leaders were free to approach the Supreme Court on its judicial side, and any petition they file could be heard along with the pending matters. Sources also said the court is open at all times for citizens whose fundamental rights are violated.
The Tribune noted that a bench led by the CJI upheld the validity of the SIR exercise on May 27. The CJI reportedly has not expressed any opinion on the Congress leaders' proposed march to the Supreme Court.
The march
The Opposition announced a march to the Supreme Court on Monday, which the Congress has called "Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy." Leaders were scheduled to converge at the Connaught Place–Barakhamba Road junction at 1:30 PM, according to Siasat. On Friday, INDIA bloc leaders had marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk and submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu.
Backdrop
The SIR of electoral rolls has become a flashpoint. The Cockroach Janta Party's Jantar Mantar protest on Saturday demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the Election Commission has rejected allegations of manipulation, saying the exercise removes duplicate and ineligible voters. The Congress has used the term "vote chori" for its allegations.
Quick Facts
| Who | CJI Surya Kant; Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge |
| Request | Meeting on Monday, October 12 (4 to 5 PM) |
| Decision | Declined on Sunday, October 11 (per sources) |
| Stated reasons | Issues sub judice; court cannot act on a memorandum administratively |
| Advice | Approach the court judicially; petitions can be heard with pending cases on Tuesday |
| Opposition plan | "Chalo Delhi" march to the Supreme Court, Monday, 1:30 PM |
| Earlier ruling | CJI-led bench upheld the SIR exercise on May 27 |
This is a developing story based on reports from The Tribune, Bar & Bench, Siasat, NDTV (via IndiaBlooms) and ZoomNews as of October 12, 2026, and may be updated.