CJI Surya Kant Declines Meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge Over Pending Cases

Newdelhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has declined a request from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for a meeting, saying the issues raised by them are already pending before the Supreme Court. In a letter shared by the Congress, he stated that holding such a discussion would be inconsistent with judicial ethics and propriety.

The CJI informed the two leaders that the proper course of action would be to approach the court through a petition, either physically or online, rather than submitting a memorandum on the administrative side. He noted that the Supreme Court would consider such matters through the exercise of its judicial powers.

In his reply, the CJI wrote that the issues referred to in their communication were already sub judice before the Supreme Court of India. He added that convening a meeting to discuss pending cases would entirely contravene the principle of the separation of powers, which is an intrinsic part of the basic structure doctrine of the Constitution, and would conflict with established judicial ethics and propriety.

He further noted that within the constitutional framework, the Supreme Court does not possess administrative powers to address the specific concerns highlighted in their letter. Nevertheless, he pointed out that through jurisdiction under Article 32 and other plenary powers including judicial review, the court remains duty-bound to examine the core of issues affecting citizens on the judicial side.

He reiterated that the Supreme Court stays committed to safeguarding the fundamental rights of every individual, and that these rights can be enforced at all times through standard legal procedures. Gandhi and Kharge had written to the CJI requesting a meeting to submit a memorandum concerning matters such as the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission, the arrest of several students, and disruptions to transportation services including metro closures and train cancellations.

The CJI reiterated that it would be more fitting for them to invoke the judicial powers of the court. Meanwhile, opposition figures were scheduled to march to the Supreme Court to file a petition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations regarding voting irregularities.