New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the Opposition’s march to the court on October 12, asking him to explain his conduct at the next hearing.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said nobody could intimidate the judiciary, after lawyers raised concerns about the protest and the crowd that gathered within the court premises.
The court issued notices to the Congress, Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders on a petition filed by four lawyers concerning the march. The CJI clarified that issuing notices did not amount to condemning anyone.
The court also issued notices to the Centre and the Election Commission of India on separate petitions challenging aspects of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petitions were filed by Opposition leaders, including Gandhi and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.
Gandhi and other Opposition leaders had marched towards the court as part of their campaign against the SIR exercise and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Opposition has raised concerns over the revision of voter lists, while the Election Commission’s position is subject to the ongoing legal proceedings.
In a separate matter, the Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and Delhi Police on petitions challenging the removal of Jantar Mantar’s status as an authorised protest site.
The court said it would examine whether the authorities had properly considered the decision. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the move was based on a committee report.
Separately, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar submitted an apology in a contempt case concerning restrictions imposed during an October 10 protest in the capital.
