On October 12, 2026, the political landscape in India reached a point of heightened friction. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Mallikarjun Kharge, his counterpart in the Rajya Sabha, took the significant step of seeking a formal meeting with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The leaders of the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, aimed to present a memorandum outlining a series of urgent demands. Their agenda was sweeping: they sought an end to what they termed vote manipulation, the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, a halt to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and a return to paper ballots. Central to their grievances was the concern over the electoral roll revision process. They argued that the restoration of 13.3 crore voters, who they claimed had been deleted from the rolls, was a matter of fundamental democratic integrity.
By the following day, it was clear that the meeting would not take place. Chief Justice Surya Kant confirmed that he had received the letter from the opposition leaders, but had formally declined the request. Addressing the situation, the Chief Justice explained the timeline of his decision: "I received their letter yesterday and replied to it last night. The letter was dated the day before yesterday, but I was away, so I received it yesterday. I have given certain reasons in my reply and expressed my inability to meet them." While the Chief Justice acknowledged the correspondence, he remained steadfast in his commitment to confidentiality regarding the specific reasoning provided to the opposition leaders, suggesting that any further inquiry into the contents of that communication should be directed to the signatories themselves.
News Alert! Matter of law and order, not my domain: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Delhi protests, related restrictions.
Despite the refusal to engage in a private, high-level meeting, the Chief Justice was quick to clarify the role of the judiciary in the lives of ordinary citizens and elected officials alike. He emphasized that the Supreme Court is not a closed fortress, but an accessible institution. "The doors of the Supreme Court are open to everyone," he stated. "Anyone can file a petition, whether they are an ordinary citizen or a member of an elected body. Every citizen of India has the right to approach us. We will hear their grievances in accordance with the law and ensure that those entitled to relief receive it." He further underscored that the court remains available 24 hours a day, maintaining its commitment to protecting the fundamental rights of every citizen through established legal channels rather than informal political discourse.
He emphasized that the Supreme Court is not a closed fortress, but an accessible institution.
This exchange occurred against a backdrop of intensifying protests in Delhi. On October 12, 2026, the INDIA bloc had planned a march to the Supreme Court, following a previous submission of demands to President Droupadi Murmu on October 11. As these protests unfolded, the Chief Justice issued a stern warning against allowing the court to become a "site of disruption." He instructed SCBA President Pradeep Rai to ensure that daily court operations, lawyers, staff, and litigants face no travel disruptions. The Chief Justice was clear: while the right to democratic protest in designated areas is protected, it must not impede the daily operations of the judiciary. He insisted that there should be no obstruction to the movement of lawyers, clerks, court staff, or litigants, noting that the court must not be dragged into political controversies.
'Supreme Court doors open to everyone': CJI Surya Kant reveals reason for declining INDIA bloc meet https://t.co/7IPIrsKRT6