LIVE: Rahul leaves SC after INDIA bloc files petition over SIR, CEC row
Jantar Mantar is no longer a designated protest site; Centre names 3 new sites in Delhi
The INDIA bloc is taking its fight against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to the Supreme Court, with Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi leading a march alongside other Opposition leaders. The delegation is expected to reach the court premises shortly to submit a petition against the CEC.
Chief Justice Surya Kant earlier declined to meet Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul over “vote chori” allegations, saying similar matters are sub judice in the Supreme Court.
Also read: CJP to approach police seeking date to hold peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar
Both Rahul and Kharge had written to CJI Surya Kant, seeking a meeting between 4 and 5 pm on Monday to hand over a memorandum, demanding an end to “vote chori”, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, halting of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and switching back to the paper ballot format.
Map showing Jantar Mantar, denotified as a protest site, and the three new designated protest sites in Delhi: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground.
In response to Rahul's request for a meeting, CJI Surya Kant said on Sunday that no orders can be passed on the administrative side, as he asked the Congress leader to file a petition on the judicial side that may be taken up on Tuesday, the sources said.
The CJI said the Supreme Court is open 24x7 for all citizens if their fundamental rights are violated, they added.
He also said the Supreme Court cannot interfere with the functions of the executive on the administrative side, the sources said.
March for democracy
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi said that Opposition parties, civil society groups and the youth would march to the Supreme Court on Monday to submit a memorandum to the CJI on behalf of the country.
The Congress has termed Monday's protest “Chalo Delhi - March for Democracy”, for which the leaders are scheduled to converge at the Connaught Place-Barakhamba Road junction at 1:30 pm.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said the march to the Supreme Court would be taken out by Indians united beyond parties, gender, caste, community and state.
“Yesterday, the nation's youth came out in Delhi to peacefully protest. They came with love in their hearts, not hatred or anger. They were beaten, both by cops and BJP goons. This is not the India we want.
“Tomorrow, we will march to the Supreme Court as Indians, united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state. Youth, all opposition parties, civil society groups, and all those who believe in democracy and stand by the Constitution of India will walk with us,” Gandhi said in the post.
“Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Ajit Doval and Mohan Bhagwat cannot silence India's voice. These cowards cannot intimidate us. They will have to step aside. We will march together, with love, brotherhood and patriotism. Daro mat,” he said, adding that “tomorrow, all of India will march to the Supreme Court”.
Rahul also alleged that protesters in Delhi were beaten up by the police and BJP's goons on Saturday. He said they were marching in protest as citizens of the country only because they wanted to protect the Constitution.
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- 12 Oct 2026 1:36 PM IST
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SC says lawyers have right to join peaceful protests, agrees to hear pleas against 'police excesses' on Tuesday
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Monday said that every lawyer has the right to participate in peaceful protests at designated locations.
The observations were made when a Bench comprising the CJI and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was told by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan that lawyers were detained and that there were instances of "police excesses" during demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission.
The Bench agreed to list the matter for hearing on Tuesday.
Sankaranarayanan raised concerns over the alleged police action against lawyers and the absence of an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the public domain.
Seeking judicial intervention, the senior lawyer urged the court to ask police to exercise restraint, alleging that lawyers had been subjected to physical force and detention during the protests.
"There is no Section 163 order available at all in the public domain. We have challenged the vires of one section as well," he submitted, alleging that Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat had been dragged through the streets.
Describing the incident as "most unseemly", the senior counsel said that the Supreme Court had repeatedly urged lawyers to exercise restraint and expressed hope that a similar message would be conveyed to police.
He further alleged that private individuals were attacking protesters while the police failed to intervene effectively.
Referring to reports of children being struck with lathis, he said videos of the alleged incidents would be shown to the court on Tuesday.
Sankaranarayanan also claimed that senior advocates Dinesh Dwivedi and Uttara Babbar had been detained in buses during the protests.
He urged the Supreme Court to intervene and send a strong message against police excesses, stating that lawyers and citizens should not be left without protection.
Responding to the submissions, the CJI said he did not wish to make further observations, but emphasised that lawyers had the right to participate in peaceful demonstrations at designated locations.
"As of now, I don't want to say anything," the CJI said, adding that the Supreme Court should not become a platform for developments that could undermine its institutional role.
He reiterated that every lawyer and member of the Bar had the right to be part of peaceful protests at identified locations.
The bench has already listed the plea of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and others for hearing on Tuesday.
- 12 Oct 2026 1:23 PM IST
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused the Opposition of attempting to "demonise" judicial institutions and erode public trust in them after the Chief Justice of India declined to meet parties protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi.
The Opposition parties have announced a march to the Supreme Court to demand an end to "vote chori" and the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had sought a meeting with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. However, the CJI has declined to meet them over "vote chori" allegations.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis slammed opposition leaders for taking out a march to the Supreme Court, terming the move "anti-constitutional" and alleging they resorted to abusive language when CJI Surya Kant refused to grant an audience.
"They want to demonise India's institutions, particularly judicial institutions, and are conspiring to erode people's faith in them," he said. "If you have a grievance, approach the court and fight it there. What I have been saying repeatedly is that they have no faith in the Constitution. They are anti-constitutional, and they have proved this by taking out a march," the chief minister said.
He noted that the CJI had acted lawfully while discharging his constitutional duties by stating that he could not meet a march.
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At the outset, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, representing Delhi Police, told Justice Amit Mahajan that he will take instructions on the issue and inform the court on Tuesday.
Noting the statement of the ASG, the court then listed the matter for hearing on Tuesday.
Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing the petitioner, said the plea was filed four days back and the police's counsel could have taken the instructions by now. He insisted that the matter be heard today itself.
The IYC has approached the court challenging Delhi Police's denial of permission to protest at Jantar Mantar.
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