Judiciary Stresses Open Doors, Rejects Pre-March Talks with Opposition

The Chief Justice of India, Justice Srikant, declined a proposal from the opposition’s INDIA alliance to meet before a planned mass march on Monday. The court’s decision was based on the premise that the coalition’s concerns are already before the bench and will be addressed through regular legal channels.

Justice Srikant made it clear that the Supreme Court does not hold political meetings at an administrative level. Its mandate is limited to hearing cases and issuing judgments. He also reminded the press that the Supreme Court’s doors are "open round the clock for every Indian" and that its primary duty is to protect the fundamental rights of the populace.

The INDIA alliance, however, is set to continue with its demonstration, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the annulment of a 2023 statute that grants legal immunity to election officials, and the revival of voters removed from the electoral roll.