Full Breakdown
Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant’s Position on Delhi’s Anti-CEC Protests
By Drooid · · How we work
Background to the Protests
In early October 2026, large-scale demonstrations erupted in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) organized a march to Jantar Mantar, prompting the Centre to deploy more than 20,000 security personnel, shut 45 metro stations and conduct intensive border checks. Thousands of protesters—including CJP leaders and four former chief ministers—were detained.
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant addressed reporters on the sidelines of the 33rd anniversary of the National Human Rights Commission at Vigyan Bhawan. He characterised the unrest as a “law-and-order” issue and said it lay outside the Court’s jurisdiction. He reiterated that the Supreme Court’s doors remain open to any citizen or elected representative who files a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution.
Kant declined a request from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to meet on October 12, explaining that the matters raised were already sub judice before the Court and that a meeting would breach the principle of separation of powers. He urged the opposition to pursue relief through formal petitions rather than an administrative memorandum.
In a separate hearing, the bench led by Kant heard submissions from the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and senior advocates concerning the detention of lawyers during the protests. Kant affirmed that democratic activities may continue but must not obstruct the functioning of the Court, the movement of lawyers, court staff or litigants. He emphasized that the Court should not become a platform for political contestation.
Data & Statistics
- Security deployment: > 20,000 personnel (reports).
- Metro disruption: 45 stations closed (reports).
- Detentions: Thousands of protesters detained, including senior CJP leaders and four former chief ministers (reports).
- Legal filings: The CJI listed related petitions for hearing on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 (scheduled).
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ye mera mudda nahin hai. (This matter doesn't pertain to my domain),” — Chief Justice
- “I will not make any comments on it.” — Supreme Court
- “They may belong to any political party, and we are not concerned with that. But the court should not be dragged into any kind of political activity,” — Chief Justice Kant, bench of chief
- “We have also challenged the vires of one section. Our Senior Advocates are being dragged through streets. Mr Shadan Farasat was dragged through streets. It was most unseemly. It shouldn’t have happened,” — Gopal Sankaranarayanan, senior advocate
- “At some point, the bench will come to the rescue of the Bar and the citizens of the country and send a strong message to the police. The cops think they can get away with anything.” — The CJI
What’s Next
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing of the petitions concerning the protests, lawyer detentions and related public-order restrictions for October 13, 2026. The bench will consider whether the police actions complied with established legal procedures and will address the broader issue of ensuring that the Court’s functioning remains insulated from political pressure.