‘Nobody can browbeat judiciary, march a feeble attempt’; SC issues notice to Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi, opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, in connection with the march to the Supreme Court on Monday alleging irregularities in the electoral process. The court has also directed that CCTV footage of the court premises during the protest be preserved.

The notice was issued by a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. Apart from Rahul Gandhi, the court has also issued notices to Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra.

The notices were issued in response to a plea seeking regulations to restrict political protests and demonstrations within court premises and demanding criminal contempt proceedings against the leaders. The notice also said that no one can browbeat or exert pressure on the judiciary.

The chief justice observed that the protest and march were merely a feeble attempt. The bench also remarked that it was not sitting in an ivory tower and was fully aware of what was happening both inside and outside the court.

Meantime, the Supreme Court has also issued a notice to the Election Commission of India in connection with a major plea filed by opposition leaders alleging irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.