Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has declined a request to meet Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge ahead of the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court on Monday, as authorities tightened security across central Delhi and restricted entry and exit at six major Metro stations.
The Opposition’s ‘Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy’ protest, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities, comes after two days of widespread demonstrations, mass detentions and transport disruptions in the national capital.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced that entry and exit gates at Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road would remain closed from 6 am to 4 pm on Monday.
However, interchange facilities will remain operational at all six stations, allowing passengers to change trains. The DMRC said security agencies would review the restrictions and announce further changes depending on the situation.
The INDIA bloc has called upon political parties, youth organisations and civil society groups to gather at the Connaught Place-Barakhamba Road junction at 1.30 pm before marching towards the Supreme Court.
The protesters are demanding an end to alleged 'vote chori', the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and restoration of paper ballots.
Opposition parties allege that the revision process has resulted in wrongful deletion of voters and favoured the ruling BJP. The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions follow statutory procedures and have legal backing.
The agitation intensified over the weekend after police detained more than 7,000 demonstrators during Saturday's protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party movement. Several Opposition leaders and activists were also detained.
The latest Metro closures have also revived questions about the proportionality of security measures.
During an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court expressed concern over sweeping transport restrictions imposed in anticipation of demonstrations. The court urged authorities to balance public safety with citizens' right to protest and avoid unnecessary inconvenience.
With the Opposition determined to proceed despite the CJI's refusal to grant a meeting, Delhi faces another politically charged day as the confrontation over electoral transparency moves closer to the country's highest court.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, his counterpart in the Rajya Sabha, had requested an appointment with Chief Justice Surya Kant between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday to submit a memorandum outlining their concerns.
However, the Chief Justice declined the request, citing the fact that related matters were already pending before the Supreme Court.
According to sources, the CJI clarified that the court could not intervene in executive functions through its administrative powers. The Opposition leaders were advised to pursue their grievances through formal judicial proceedings.
Related matters are scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, October 13, and any fresh petition could be considered alongside them. The Chief Justice has not expressed an opinion on the proposed march itself.