Supreme Court Hearing on Opposition Leaders March: CJI Surya Kant Asserts Court Independence

New Delhi, October 15: The Supreme Court conducted a hearing on October 12 regarding the gathering of opposition leaders within its premises. Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized that no one can intimidate or pressure the court, stating that such attempts are futile and go unnoticed. The court issued notices to 16 leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, and sought responses from the central government and the Election Commission regarding their petitions against the SIR and the commission’s decisions.

In brief:
– Date: Thursday, Supreme Court
– Bench: Chief Justice Surya Kant
– Notices: Issued to Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and 14 others
– SIR Petition: Responses sought from the central government and Election Commission
– CCTV: All legal agencies instructed to preserve footage

“We Do Not Live in a Fantasy World”

Chief Justice Surya Kant remarked, “No court can be intimidated or pressured. Such attempts are pointless and ignored. We are aware of what is said outside the court and what occurs inside. We do not live in a fantasy world.” He also indicated that the court would question the conduct of one of the petitioners without naming anyone, requiring them to provide an explanation.

Notices Issued on Behalf of Four Lawyers

Following the events of October 12, four lawyers filed a petition requesting the establishment of rules to prevent political demonstrations within the court premises, the preservation of CCTV footage, and an investigation into the leaders’ intentions. The petition also stated that the individual calling for the demonstration should be held accountable for its consequences. The Chief Justice issued notices regarding this petition.

The petitioners’ lawyer, Gaurav Bhatia, requested an interim order to secure the CCTV footage from the time Rahul Gandhi arrived at the Supreme Court. The petition alleges that a pregnant journalist was pushed during this time. The court has yet to reach a conclusion on this matter. Justice Bagchi instructed all legal agencies to preserve the CCTV and other digital footage, stating that anyone could submit it.

Contempt Demand Over Kerala Congress Post

During the hearing, a social media post by the Kerala Congress was cited as contempt of court, prompting a demand for action. The petition claimed that the post was against the Chief Justice, although it has since been removed.

How the Case Reached This Point

Date	Event
October 10	Kharge and Rahul Gandhi wrote to the Chief Justice requesting a time to submit a memorandum on October 12 between 4 and 5 PM.
October 11	The Chief Justice declined the meeting request, stating that the subject of the memorandum was already under consideration in court.
October 12	The opposition’s march from Barakhamba Road to the Supreme Court took place; Rahul, Priyanka, and Kharge entered the premises that evening, while 11 leaders from 10 parties filed an SIR petition.
October 13	The registry noted about 14 procedural deficiencies in the SIR petition.
October 15	Hearing occurred; notices were issued to 16 leaders, and responses were sought from the central government and the Election Commission.

The memorandum also addressed issues such as the arrests of students, the closure of metro stations, and the cancellation of trains. The registry’s 14 objections were procedural and needed to be resolved before the hearing.

CJI Surya Kant’s Letter to Kharge and Rahul Gandhi: “Cases Under Court Consideration, Meeting Beyond Powers”
Opposition Approaches Supreme Court Against SIR: 11 Leaders from 10 Parties as Petitioners
Registry Lists About 14 Deficiencies in SIR Petition: 9 of 11 Petitioners Lacked Written Consent
“The Court’s Doors Are Open to Every Citizen”: CJI Surya Kant Declines Meeting with Opposition Leaders

Author Profile

Kuldeep Singh Chundawat: My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.