Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition INDIA bloc, entered the Supreme Court registry on Tuesday to file a writ petition challenging the Election Commission of India (ECI) and its chief, Gyanesh Kumar. The petition alleges that the commission’s recent Special Index of Revision (SIR) resulted in the wrongful deletion of millions of voter records, a move the opposition describes as "vote chori" and a breach of democratic norms. The filing called for Kumar’s removal and for an independent panel to investigate the SIR process.
Background and legal challenge
The controversy stems from the ECI’s SIR, a periodic exercise intended to clean up electoral rolls. According to reports in The Hindu and Bar and Bench, the opposition bloc claims that the SIR led to the deletion of legitimate voters, disproportionately affecting areas where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faces strong competition. The petition, filed jointly by Gandhi and senior MPs including Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, seeks a Supreme Court‑ordered probe and the dismissal of the chief election commissioner.
“Resign, turn approver,” Rahul Gandhi told the Election Commissioner during the filing, demanding accountability for the alleged voter purge.
The plea also asks the court to direct the formation of an independent committee to examine the SIR methodology and to ensure future revisions are transparent. The filing was accompanied by a memorandum to Chief Justice Surya Kant, outlining sub‑judice cases related to the matter, as detailed by the Supreme Court Observer.
Protest and police response
Following the filing, the INDIA bloc organized a “Chalo Delhi” march aimed at the Supreme Court building. Protesters gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, a traditional site for political demonstrations. However, Delhi police announced that Jantar Mantar would no longer be permitted for protests and named three alternative locations, a development reported by The Hindu and The Week. Police subsequently halted the march, citing security concerns, and redirected participants to the designated sites.
Despite the blockage, Gandhi and other leaders, including his sister Priyanka Gandhi, continued to lead the contingent toward the court, where they filed the petition. The march’s interruption was covered live by the Supreme Court Observer, which provided real-time updates from the Supreme Court premises.
Political reactions
The ruling BJP swiftly dismissed the allegations. Union Minister Anurag Thakur accused Gandhi of “making baseless accusations” and demanded “evidence, not allegations,” as reported by The Economic Times. In a separate statement, the BJP’s Mahila Morcha organized its own protest outside the Supreme Court, underscoring the political polarization surrounding the issue.
Gandhi’s statements during the filing were forceful. The Indian Express quoted him saying, “Modi ji, 200 officers in your government are in touch with us,” implying that senior officials were aware of the alleged voter deletions. India Today relayed another of his remarks: “We know you’re losing sleep, will make sure you quit,” directed at the Election Commissioner.
The Chief Justice reportedly turned down a request from both Gandhi and BJP leader Gurumurthy Kharge for a private meeting, a detail highlighted by Rediff. This refusal underscores the judiciary’s intent to keep the matter within formal procedural channels.
While the opposition frames the petition as a defense of electoral integrity, the government maintains that the SIR is a routine, legally sanctioned exercise. The Supreme Court’s decision on the writ petition, expected in the coming weeks, will determine whether the Election Commissioner faces removal and whether the alleged voter deletions are subject to judicial scrutiny.
