NEW DELHI: Several opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc criticised Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant after he declined Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi’s request for a meeting to discuss alleged electoral fraud and the deletion of voters’ names from electoral rolls.Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut questioned the decision, saying the bloc wanted to raise concerns about “theft of votes” and the impact of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.The opposition’s reaction came as the INDIA bloc has planned a protest march towards the Supreme Court on Monday.Raut said the Chief Justice’s refusal to meet the leaders would be remembered by the people, while Congress MP Imran Masood described the planned protest as a spontaneous movement.“We have come today as the INDIA bloc is organising a major march towards the Supreme Court to meet the Chief Justice. We had requested an appointment… The Chief Justice, whose role is to safeguard the Constitution, is unwilling to meet us… When we are seeking to save democracy amidst the theft of votes and electoral fraud, and the deletion of millions of names from the rolls and wish to meet you to voice our grievance, you say you will not meet politicians. The people will remember this,” Raut said.Congress MP Imran Masood also said the party had scheduled a protest and that members would follow the leadership’s directions.“We have scheduled a protest. Everyone will abide by whatever directive the party issues. People are coming out on their own; everywhere it is a spontaneous movement,” Masood said.Meanwhile, DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan questioned the circumstances behind the CJI’s decision to decline the meeting request and alleged that the Election Commission was not acting neutrally.“I do not know what pressure they are under… It is a petition in favour of democracy. We complain that Gyanesh Kumar is pro-BJP and he does not act neutrally… They should act neutrally, only then democracy will survive. If they are supporting Gyanesh Kumar, that means they are also against democracy…” Elangovan said.
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CJI denies meeting request
Responding to the meeting request, Justice Surya Kant said he had received a letter seeking an appointment on Sunday and had replied the same night, explaining why he would be unable to meet the leaders.“I received a letter yesterday regarding a meeting request, and I responded to it last night, outlining the reasons why I will be unable to meet…” the CJI said.He also stressed that citizens and elected representatives could approach the court through legal channels.“The Supreme Court’s doors are open to everyone. Any petition from any common citizen or member of an elected body is welcome. Every Indian citizen has the right to approach the court, and we will hear their concerns and grant whatever is due under the law,” he said.