'Disclose EC files, set up audit panel': Rahul Gandhi, 10 INDIA bloc leaders move SC against CEC

NEW DELHI: A Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc march to the Supreme Court against alleged electoral irregularities encountered police barricades in central Delhi on Monday before the opposition leaders eventually reached the court and filed a joint petition against the Election Commission of India (EC).The march, dubbed "March for Democracy", brought together opposition leaders, MPs, party workers and activists, with Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav among those who joined the procession.The march was initially halted at Bhagwan Dass Road, where police had erected barricades to prevent the procession from proceeding towards the Supreme Court. As the crowd swelled and the standoff continued, several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, climbed atop a vehicle as supporters raised slogans against the government and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.As per Supreme Court website, their legal team had filed the petition against the EC as the leaders failed to reach on time.Subsequently they reached the Supreme Court premises and filed the petition in a show of strenght. Visuals released by the news agency showed Rahul Gandhi, Kharge and other INDIA bloc leaders filing the plea.The march came after the Chief Justice of India refused to meet the opposition leaders who had sought an appointment to submit a memorandum over alleged electoral irregularities. CJI Surya Kant had said the matter was already before the court and advised the leaders to pursue the judicial route by filing a petition.ALSO READ: 'Ready to contest on ballot paper': Himanta lobs dare at Cong but with a big rider11 leaders named in the petitionThe petition names Rahul Gandhi as the lead petitioner, along with 10 other opposition leaders from INDIA bloc parties. The petitioners are:Rahul Gandhi, CongressMallikarjun Kharge, CongressSaugata Roy, Mamata-TMCAkhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi PartyTejashwi Prasad Yadav, Rashtriya Janata DalSanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (UBT)MA Baby, CPMD Raja, CPIMahua Majhi, Jharkhand Mukti MorchaSupriya Sule, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar)ET Mohammed Basheer, Indian Union Muslim League leaderThe Election Commission of India has been named as a respondent. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the other two Election Commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, have also been named as respondents, according to the Supreme Court website.What does the petition seekThe petition filed by Rahul Gandhi and 10 other opposition leaders in the Supreme Court has challenged the manner in which the Election Commission has taken decisions relating to the SIR of electoral rolls, news agency ANI reported.It seeks disclosure of the EC’s complete files, agendas, minutes, notings and objections concerning the disputed decisions, including the June 24, 2025 decision to commence the SIR, as well as ECINET and ERONET access logs.It also seeks a judicial examination of whether these decisions were taken in accordance with Article 324 of the Constitution, the 2023 law governing the Election Commission and the Supreme Court’s ruling in TN Seshan vs Union of India.The petition seeks several safeguards against voter deletions during the SIR, including a direction that no elector be removed from the electoral roll without prior notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard. It also seeks the booth-wise publication of deleted electors, along with the reasons for their deletion and demographic details.The petition further calls for an independent committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to audit deletions and modifications in electoral-roll databases, including ECINET and ERONET. It also seeks an interim suspension of the ongoing SIR until the court adjudicates the matter.Additionally, the plea asks the court to direct the Election Commission to ensure that “every decision of the Election Commission relating to the Special Intensive Revision is taken and duly minuted” in accordance with the 2023 Act.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.