New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging large-scale voter deletions and alleged irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The legal move escalates the Opposition's three-day-old confrontation with the poll body, coming hours after Gandhi led the INDIA bloc's "March for Democracy" through central Delhi to the doors of the top court.
CJI declined a meeting earlier
Gandhi's petition follows Chief Justice of India Surya Kant's refusal to meet him and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday. The CJI's office cited sub-judice constraints, pointing out that petitions concerning the SIR process and the functioning of the Election Commission of India are already scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, October 13.
In a formal communication, the CJI's office emphasised that the court cannot entertain private representations on the administrative functioning of government authorities, but said the leaders were free to approach the court on its judicial side — and indicated that any fresh petition could be tagged along with the pending matters.
Filed at the registry, signed by ten leaders
Gandhi's legal team reached the Supreme Court registry on Monday seeking an extension beyond the 4:30 pm scheduled closing time to file the plea in person; the court's e-filing service remains accessible round the clock. CPI general secretary D Raja said ten leaders would sign and submit the petition on behalf of the INDIA bloc, including himself.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi told a press conference he would move the court at 3 pm against the CEC over alleged "vote chori". The BJP dismissed the day's events: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the march to the Supreme Court as "drama" and "pure theatrics", accusing the Congress of blaming constitutional institutions for its electoral defeats.
Sources: The New Indian Express — Delhi Protest Day 3 LIVE, Al Jazeera — India Opposition March Live
The legal move escalates the Opposition's three-day-old confrontation with the poll body, coming hours after Gandhi led the INDIA bloc's "March for Democracy" through central Delhi to the doors of the top court.
CJI declined a meeting earlier
Gandhi's petition follows Chief Justice of India Surya Kant's refusal to meet him and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday. The CJI's office cited sub-judice constraints, pointing out that petitions concerning the SIR process and the functioning of the Election Commission of India are already scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, October 13.
In a formal communication, the CJI's office emphasised that the court cannot entertain private representations on the administrative functioning of government authorities, but said the leaders were free to approach the court on its judicial side — and indicated that any fresh petition could be tagged along with the pending matters.
Filed at the registry, signed by ten leaders
Gandhi's legal team reached the Supreme Court registry on Monday seeking an extension beyond the 4:30 pm scheduled closing time to file the plea in person; the court's e-filing service remains accessible round the clock. CPI general secretary D Raja said ten leaders would sign and submit the petition on behalf of the INDIA bloc, including himself.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi told a press conference he would move the court at 3 pm against the CEC over alleged "vote chori". The BJP dismissed the day's events: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the march to the Supreme Court as "drama" and "pure theatrics", accusing the Congress of blaming constitutional institutions for its electoral defeats.
Sources: The New Indian Express — Delhi Protest Day 3 LIVE, Al Jazeera — India Opposition March Live
