New Delhi, October 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to judicial independence, backing Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant’s position that political parties seeking redressal of their grievances must approach the Supreme Court through the established judicial process.
In a resolution passed by majority, the association appreciated the CJI’s response to a request from Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge for an appointment to submit a memorandum on issues concerning the Election Commission of India (ECI), the arrest of students, the closure of Metro stations and the cancellation of trains, among others.
“SCAORA appreciates the stand taken by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India in making it clear that political parties seeking resolution of their grievances must approach the Court through the judicial process,” the resolution stated.
It added that such grievances could be raised before the Supreme Court in accordance with the law and considered independently on their merits.
“No action should be taken that may obstruct the functioning of the Courts or hamper the fair and independent dispensation of justice,” the resolution said.
The association further emphasised that the independence of the judiciary must be respected by all and that grievances requiring judicial intervention should be pursued through established legal procedures.
The resolution follows a letter written by CJI Surya Kant to Gandhi and Kharge after the Opposition leaders sought an appointment between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday to submit their memorandum.
In his response, the CJI said the issues raised by the leaders were already pending before the Supreme Court and that holding a meeting to discuss them would run contrary to the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
“Therefore, convening a meeting to discuss pending cases would wholly contravene the principle of Separation of Powers, an intrinsic facet of the basic structure doctrine of the Constitution of India, and would be incompatible with the established ethics and judicial propriety,” he wrote.
The CJI also clarified that the Supreme Court did not have administrative powers to address the issues highlighted in the letter. However, he said the court was duty-bound to examine matters affecting citizens’ rights in the exercise of its judicial jurisdiction.
“Supreme Court of India reiterates its commitment to preserve and protect the Fundamental Rights of every citizen of India, and they are entitled to seek enforcement of such rights at all hours through the procedure known in law,” the letter stated.
He advised the Opposition leaders to invoke the Supreme Court’s judicial powers rather than submit a memorandum through the administrative channel. He also assured them that any petition filed in accordance with the law would be heard at the earliest possible opportunity.
The CJI informed them that matters involving similar issues were scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, October 13. He said they could file their petition either physically at the Supreme Court or through its e-filing facility.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi and 10 other INDIA bloc leaders have approached the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petition alleges large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the revision exercise.
Filed on Monday, the writ petition names the ECI, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi as respondents.
According to the case status available on the Supreme Court’s website, the petition was filed on October 12 under diary number 64196/2026 and remains pending.
Besides Gandhi and Kharge, the petitioners include Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, CPI(M) leader M.A. Baby, CPI leader D. Raja, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Mahua Majhi, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule and Indian Union Muslim League leader E.T. Mohammed Basheer.
The legal challenge comes amid escalating tensions between Opposition parties and the poll body over the SIR exercise. INDIA bloc leaders have argued that the revision process threatens electoral fairness and could result in eligible voters being excluded from electoral rolls.
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