Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has declined a request by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and others to meet him on Monday, October 12, citing the pendency of related matters before the Supreme Court.

Sources aware of the development told Bar & Bench that the CJI conveyed that the issues sought to be raised by the Congress leaders were already sub judice before the Supreme Court.

The CJI also pointed out that under the constitutional scheme, the Supreme Court does not have administrative powers to interfere with the functioning of the government.

Sources said that since the Congress leaders intended to submit a memorandum, the CJI clarified that the Supreme Court could not pass directions on such issues on its administrative side. However, he made it clear that the leaders were free to approach the Supreme Court on its judicial side.

Similar matters are already scheduled for hearing before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, October 13. Any petition filed by the Congress leaders could also be heard along with those matters.

Sources clarified that the CJI has not expressed any view on the proposed march to the Supreme Court on Monday.

The development comes amid plans by Opposition leaders to march towards the Supreme Court over alleged electoral irregularities, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and recent police action against protesters in Delhi.

The proposed meeting with the CJI was expected to be attended by Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and other Opposition leaders.