SCBA condemns calls for CJI Surya Kant’s resignation as INDIA bloc marches to Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on 12 October condemned social media posts calling for the resignation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, on the day the Opposition INDIA bloc marched towards the Supreme Court in Delhi over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

What the SCBA said

In a resolution dated 12 October and signed by Honorary Secretary Pragya Baghel, the SCBA said, “Statements of this nature belittle the institution of the judiciary,” and described such statements as “an attempt to interfere with the administration of justice,” according to Business Today. The resolution said every person has the right to approach courts and seek remedies in accordance with law, and urged members and the public to maintain the “dignity and decorum” of the Supreme Court, according to ANI. It did not name any party or individual.

The resolution followed a post on X by the Congress’s Kerala unit, which targeted the CJI over his reported remark that law and order was not his domain when asked about protest restrictions in Delhi. The post read, “Dear Surya Kant, If law and order is not your domain, resign now. We will find your replacement who can handle it,” according to Business Today. The post was later deleted.

The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) also passed a resolution backing the CJI’s position that parties should seek redress through the courts. “No action should be taken that may obstruct the functioning of the Courts,” it said, according to ANI.

Congress distances itself

Congress leader Pawan Khera distanced the national party from the Kerala unit’s post. “We have absolute faith in the judiciary of this country and respect the highest court,” he told ANI, adding, “We completely disagree with this position, whoever has done it.”

The march and the petition

In a letter dated 11 October, CJI Surya Kant declined a meeting sought by Leaders of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for 12 October, saying the issues were already sub judice and advising them to file a petition, according to ANI. On 12 October, Delhi Police stopped the INDIA bloc march at a barricade on Bhagwan Das Road near the Supreme Court, The Week reported. The leaders’ petition was filed the same day through Advocate-on-Record S Prasanna.

• Case: Rahul Gandhi v. Election Commission of India (Diary No. 64196/2026), according to LiveLaw
• Petitioners: 11 Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav and Supriya Sule
• Respondents: the Election Commission, CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi
• Key relief sought: suspension of the SIR across all states pending adjudication, and an audit of deletions by a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge

LiveLaw reported that similar SIR matters were scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, 13 October, and that the CJI had indicated the new petition could be considered along with pending matters.

Sources: Business Today, Asianet Newsable (ANI), The Week, LiveLaw