Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Monday refused to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge who sought an appointment to lay a memorandum on alleged electoral irregularities, but emphasized that the Supreme Court was open to every Indian citizen for legal remedies.
Speaking to reporters after an event organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Justice Surya Kant said he had received the leaders' letter on Sunday and responded the same night, explaining why he would be unable to meet them.
"I received the letter yesterday, so I replied to it last night. I have given some reasons in the letter on the basis of which I expressed my inability to meet him," he said.
When asked to disclose the reasons, the CJI refused, saying that he had kept the contents of the letter confidential.
"I would request you to ask him about the contents of that letter. I have maintained its confidentiality," he told ANI.
What did Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge want?
The two opposition leaders had asked for a meeting between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday to deliver a memorandum on what they described as "vote chori"
Their demands included the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, a halt to the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a return to paper ballots.
Their memorandum was meant to raise concerns about alleged electoral malpractice and take action on issues related to the revision of voter lists.
CJI says citizens can approach court through petitions
Answering questions about how elected representatives should raise their concerns, Justice Surya Kant said that anyone could approach the Supreme Court by filing a petition.
"The doors of the Supreme Court are open to all. Anyone can approach us with a petition, whether an ordinary citizen or a member of an elected body," he said.
He said that the court would consider citizens' grievances in accordance with the law and provide whatever relief they were due.
Asked about the situation in Delhi and the protests, the CJI declined to comment, calling it a law-and-order issue.
Separately, addressing cancellation of a parliamentary committee's visit concerning the proposed One Nation, One Election reforms, Justice Surya Kant said the decision was made to avoid a potential conflict of interest. He said that he and his senior judicial colleagues had collectively decided that such a conflict should be avoided.