Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has said the Supreme Court’s doors remain open to every citizen but warned against turning the institution into a political battleground, a day after declining a meeting request from INDIA bloc leaders over the SIR exercise
BY PC Bureau
NEW DELHI/ October 12: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday said the Supreme Court remained accessible to every citizen but warned against turning the institution into a political battleground, a day after declining a request for a meeting with INDIA bloc leaders over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
“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 told reporters.
Asked to elaborate on the reasons for declining the request, Justice Surya Kant declined to disclose the contents of his reply, saying, “Please don’t ask me about that. I have maintained the confidentiality of that.”
Reacting to the Opposition’s proposed march to the Supreme Court, the CJI said the institution should not become an arena for political confrontation.
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#WATCH | Delhi | On INDIA Bloc’s protest march and their demand to meet him, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant says, “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…”
He also says, “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.”
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
“We will not allow the SC to become a political battlefield. Wherever designated places are, the protest can be held there in accordance with law,” he said.
At the same time, he emphasised that access to justice remained open to all, regardless of their position or political affiliation.
“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.
The remarks came after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced on Sunday that opposition parties would march to the Supreme Court on Monday to submit a memorandum demanding the withdrawal of the SIR exercise and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Kharge had also claimed that a meeting with the CJI had been scheduled between 4 pm and 5 pm. The CJI’s response on Monday clarified that he would not hold the requested meeting, while reiterating that the Opposition remained free to pursue its concerns through the judicial process.
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