India Opposition Alliance Faces Setback as CJI Declines Meeting Request

The opposition alliance had planned to march to the Supreme Court on October 12 to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice Sanjay Surya Kant, with the meeting request being part of those preparations. However, the CJI's office declined the request through email correspondence sent on October 11, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, had sought the meeting with the Chief Justice to raise concerns and present its views on matters affecting the judiciary and governance. Leaders including Congress president Rahul Gandhi were to lead the delegation, which was expected to present formal grievances to the head of the Indian judiciary.

The rejection of the meeting request comes as the opposition alliance has intensified its engagement with constitutional institutions. The planned march to the Supreme Court represents a significant move by the coalition to directly engage with the judiciary on issues it deems critical to India's democratic functioning.

No official statement has been issued regarding the reasons for declining the meeting request. The opposition coalition is expected to proceed with its planned march despite the setback, though whether the memorandum submission will take place as originally planned remains unclear.