- CJI questioned Rahul Gandhi's conduct during INDIA Bloc's SC march.
- Supreme Court issued notice to Election Commission on SIR irregularities.
- CJI emphasized judiciary's independence, not sitting in ivory towers.
Anti-SIR Hearing: The Supreme Court, while hearing the petitions over the alleged irregularities in Special Intensive Revision (SIR), issued notice to the Election Commission. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant also questioned the conduct of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi (without taking his name) during the INDIA Bloc's march to the Supreme Court on October 12.
Supreme Court's Top Remarks:
- CJI Surya Kant asserted that he was aware of what statements are being given outside the court, adding that the judges are not "sitting in ivory towers". The remarks came after some lawyers pointed out the opposition's march to the apex court on October 12.
- While the court has issued notice to the Election Commission, it has also asked a petitioner (Rahul Gandhi) to defend his actions in the next hearing. "We will issue notice in this but we want to know his conduct on the next date of hearing," the court stated.
- The chief justice also questioned the conducts of Rahul Gandhi (without taking his name), while referring to the INDIA Bloc's march. "We would also ask one of the petitioners about his conduct," CJI stated.
- CJI Surya Kant also directed the authority to not take any harsh action against the female journalist against whom a senior police official has filed case under the SC/ST act. "Individual woman journalist against whom some police officer is stated to have filed case...don't take coercive action," CJI stated.
- The apex court has directed the authorities to preserve the CCTV footage or other related digital proof related to the protests.
- Apart from this, the court has also sought response of Centre and Delhi Police on plea challenging de-notification of Jantar Mantar as designated protest site
- SC also issued notice to EC on plea of Rahul Gandhi, others over alleged large-scale voter deletions, irregularities in SIR