Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday said the protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the restrictions imposed in Delhi were law-and-order matters outside his domain. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event marking the 33rd anniversary of the National Human Rights Commission at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

Delhi has witnessed a series of demonstrations demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and other concerns related to the functioning of the Election Commission. When asked about the protests and the restrictions imposed across the capital, the Chief Justice said the issue concerned law and order and was not a matter for him to address administratively.

The demonstrations intensified over the weekend, prompting a significant security deployment across the national capital. Authorities imposed restrictions on movement, conducted checks at Delhi’s border points and temporarily shut several metro stations. Thousands of people, including leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party and several former chief ministers, were detained during the protests.

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The INDIA bloc had also sought a meeting with the Chief Justice to raise concerns over alleged electoral irregularities. Surya Kant confirmed that he had received a letter requesting an appointment and had sent a response explaining why he could not meet the opposition leaders. He declined to disclose the contents of the correspondence, citing confidentiality.

In his written response, the Chief Justice explained that the issues raised were already pending before the Supreme Court. He said discussing such matters through an administrative meeting would conflict with the principle of separation of powers and established judicial propriety. He also clarified that the Supreme Court does not exercise administrative authority over the concerns outlined in the opposition’s request.

However, Surya Kant said citizens and elected representatives remained free to approach the Supreme Court through the appropriate judicial process. He indicated that grievances concerning the electoral issues could be raised through a formal petition, adding that the court would consider such matters in accordance with the law. Related petitions were scheduled for a hearing on October 13, 2026.

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