CJI declines meet with OPPN LEADERS

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant rejected the INDIA bloc leaders’ request for a meeting to submit a representation, explaining the reasons for the decision in a response sent to them via email. Sources said that in his reply to the meeting request, the CJI said the issues they plan to raise are already sub judice, being heard in the Supreme Court.

The court has no authority to meet a delegation of any political party at the administrative level in this way, and its power is in fact to hear the petition and give a verdict, the CJI is learnt to have said. He also said the doors of the Supreme Court, as the top judicial body, are “open 24 hours a day for all”, and it is “committed to protecting the fundamental rights of every citizen”.