📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Sridhar Elangovan
Politics
CJI Surya Kant Refuses to Meet INDIA Bloc Leaders Amid Protest Plans
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 12 Oct 2026, 07:38 AM
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Chief Justice Surya Kant declined a meeting request from the opposition INDIA bloc, prompting co‑convenor Ashutosh Ranka to seek police permission for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar.
Chief Justice Surya Kant on Monday, October 12, 2026, turned down a request from leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc to meet and discuss their grievances. The refusal was reported shortly after the bloc sought a dialogue with the judiciary over alleged electoral irregularities.
In response, Ashutosh Ranka, co‑convenor of the Congress‑led INDIA alliance, announced that he and other party leaders would approach the Delhi Police the same day to obtain a date for a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The planned rally is intended to highlight concerns about what the opposition describes as "vote chori" in recent elections.
Rahul Gandhi is expected to submit a formal memorandum to the CJI, demanding an end to the alleged vote‑theft and urging the court to intervene. The opposition’s move underscores mounting tension between the judiciary and political parties ahead of the upcoming general elections.
No alternative meeting date has been offered by the chief justice, and officials said the police would review the protest request in accordance with existing law and security protocols.
In response, Ashutosh Ranka, co‑convenor of the Congress‑led INDIA alliance, announced that he and other party leaders would approach the Delhi Police the same day to obtain a date for a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The planned rally is intended to highlight concerns about what the opposition describes as "vote chori" in recent elections.
Rahul Gandhi is expected to submit a formal memorandum to the CJI, demanding an end to the alleged vote‑theft and urging the court to intervene. The opposition’s move underscores mounting tension between the judiciary and political parties ahead of the upcoming general elections.
No alternative meeting date has been offered by the chief justice, and officials said the police would review the protest request in accordance with existing law and security protocols.