Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 13: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the alleged large-scale deletion of names from the voters' list and irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Similar petitions were also filed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, TMC MP Saugata Roy, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, NCP (SCP) leader Supriya Sule, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, CPI leader D Raja, JMM MP Mahua Maji, CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby, and IUML leader E T Mohammed Basheer.
The legal move comes a day after Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant rejected a request from Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc leaders for an administrative meeting to discuss the alleged electoral irregularities, the SIR process, and to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kumar.
In an email response sent on Sunday, the CJI's office informed Gandhi and Kharge that the matter is sub judice and is already being heard by a bench headed by CJI Surya Kant himself. The communication clarified that no directions could be issued administratively and advised the leaders to approach the court through a formal petition to seek judicial intervention.
Gandhi and Kharge had initially sought an appointment with the CJI between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday to submit a memorandum demanding an end to alleged 'vote theft' and the halting of the SIR process. Kharge had earlier told a media outlet that the meeting was scheduled, but the CJI's office issued a denial late Sunday evening, rejecting the appointment request.
The request for the meeting followed widespread protests in Delhi against the SIR process. The Delhi Police had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, closed metro stations, and restricted internet access, a move that drew severe criticism.
During a special off-day hearing on Sunday, a two-judge bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana noted a prima facie violation of an October 9 court order regarding the protests. The bench directed the resumption of normal metro and railway operations, the removal of barricades, the restoration of internet services, and ensured the free movement of the public and lawyers.
Announcing an INDIA bloc march to the Supreme Court on October 13, Gandhi alleged that youth who protested peacefully were attacked by the police and BJP workers, stating, "This is not the India we want."
Meanwhile, Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of creating an "undeclared emergency." He claimed that the government is afraid of the youth demanding the protection of democracy and voting rights, affirming that the Congress would continue its fight to safeguard the Constitution.