Chief Justice of India Says Meeting Would Be Inappropriate as Issues Are Sub Judice; Opposition Can Approach Supreme Court on Judicial Side

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has declined the request of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for a meeting on October 12, 2026, to discuss issues relating to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

According to sources, the CJI, in his response to the official email sent by Rahul Gandhi, conveyed that such a meeting would be inappropriate since the issues sought to be raised are already sub judice before the Supreme Court.

It is also understood that the CJI clarified that, under the constitutional scheme, the Supreme Court cannot interfere with the functioning of the executive on its administrative side. However, the opposition leaders remain free to approach the Court in its judicial capacity.

Opposition Can Approach Supreme Court Through Petitions

The Leader of Opposition was reportedly informed that any petition filed by an opposition member concerning the SIR exercise could be heard along with similar matters already listed before the Supreme Court for hearing on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

The clarification comes amid growing political opposition to the SIR process and demands for action against the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.

Earlier on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi announced that opposition parties would march to the Supreme Court on Monday and submit a memorandum to the CJI seeking the rollback of the SIR exercise and the resignation of the CEC.

Supreme Court Had Earlier Upheld ECI’s Power to Conduct SIR

It is pertinent to note that a Bench led by CJI Surya Kant had, in May 2026, upheld the validity of the Election Commission of India’s power to conduct the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The Bench is also seized of petitions challenging various decisions taken by the Chief Election Commissioner, which are alleged to have been made without the concurrence of the other Election Commissioners.

The latest development comes as the SIR exercise continues to face legal and political challenges, with opposition parties raising concerns over the electoral roll revision process.