New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a sharp warning that the judiciary cannot be intimidated or forced to yield through public rallies. The bench said it is aware of what political leaders say inside court and how they speak outside, adding that judges are not insulated from developments in the outside world.
The remarks came as multiple petitions were taken up together before a bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant and Justice Jaymalya Bagchi. The matters included objections to SIR-related actions, demands seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, allegations of attacks on journalists and lawyers, and pleas seeking detailed guidelines for political protests near the court परिसर.
According to submissions, some lawyers alleged that a march held in Delhi on October 12 by leaders of the INDIA bloc, led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, appeared to be aimed at pressuring the Supreme Court. Senior advocate and BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia also told the court that the statements and conduct of Rahul Gandhi and other leaders were a cause for concern.
The court directed that replies be filed on a petition seeking action against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and the Congress party over the march towards the Supreme Court. Separately, the bench issued notices to the Election Commission and the Chief Election Commissioner to respond to a petition filed by Rahul Gandhi and nine other opposition leaders challenging the SIR-related exercise.
