Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Monday confirmed that he had received a letter from INDIA bloc leaders seeking a meeting and had responded the same night, explaining why he would be unable to meet the delegation.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) 33rd Foundation Day event, the CJI said every Indian citizen had the right to approach the Supreme Court and that its doors were open to all.
“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,” CJI Surya Kant said. He declined to disclose the contents of the correspondence.
“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 added.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had sought a meeting with the CJI to discuss alleged electoral irregularities, which the Opposition has termed “vote chori”. The CJI reportedly declined their request, citing similar matters pending before the apex court.
According to reports, the CJI said no orders could be passed on the administrative side and advised the leaders to approach the court through a judicial petition, which could be taken up on Tuesday.
Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal said the Opposition respected the CJI’s decision but would proceed with its planned march to the Supreme Court.
“The CJI has declined to meet us, provided that open avenue for giving a petition to the Supreme Court by hand or a general legal way. We respect that decision, but we are very much for marching to the Supreme Court,” Venugopal said.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticised the CJI for declining to meet the INDIA bloc delegation, saying the people of the country would remember the decision.
“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 told ANI.
