The Supreme Court's Chief Justice Surya Kant denied a meeting with Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, who had requested a face‑to‑face discussion on Monday at 4 p.m. — the request had been sent in their official mail, according to a source at the CJI’s office.
The denial came after the CJI’s office cited the pending judicial status of the matter, noting that Surya Kant himself sits on the bench hearing the case. The office also said no administrative directions could be issued following their meeting.
Gandhi and Kharge, who earlier drafted a memorandum demanding the resignation of Election Commission chief Gyanesh Kumar and a return to paper ballots, may now file a petition to have the Supreme Court hear their grievances. They have also called for a mass march, dubbed ‘Chalo Delhi’, to converge at the Connaught‑Place Barakhamba Road junction at 1:30 p.m.
The Congress has urged Indians beyond party lines to join the protest, citing a recent July rally where 22‑year‑old Aisha Sharma said the police had "threatened her with a baton". The march, set for Monday, follows a week‑long series of demonstrations that began on Tuesday with a sit‑in at Akashvani Bhawan.
The next step will be a court hearing scheduled for early next week, where the Supreme Court will decide whether to consider the Opposition’s petition and whether the CJI’s refusal to meet was justified under the court’s procedural rules.