Politics · India · 1 hr ago
Opposition marches in Delhi and petitions Supreme Court over election chief
Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of the INDIA opposition bloc led thousands of people on a march in central Delhi on Monday.
They were protesting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and concerns about the revision of electoral rolls.
The leaders also filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking an independent, time-bound investigation into decisions they say Kumar made unilaterally.
They asked the court to suspend the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of voter lists while the inquiry takes place.
The petition names the Election Commission of India, Kumar and two other election commissioners, and raises alleged poll irregularities.
The court flagged 14 defects in the filing, including a shortfall in court fees and missing documents.
The source does not say what the court will do next.
Thousands of people joined Opposition leaders in a march through central Delhi on Monday, October 12, 2026, protesting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Rahul Gandhi and other leaders went to the Supreme Court to file a petition seeking an independent, time-bound investigation into decisions allegedly taken unilaterally by Kumar.
The petition also asked the court to suspend the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral rolls pending the inquiry.
The petition named the Election Commission of India, Kumar and two other election commissioners as respondents, but was flagged for 14 defects.
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said protest was a citizen’s right but criticised what he called abuse of constitutional authorities.
- Who
- Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, led the march, joined by thousands of people.
- What
- They protested against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and filed a Supreme Court petition seeking an investigation and suspension of the electoral-roll revision.
- When
- Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Central Delhi and the Supreme Court in New Delhi.
- Why
- The petition cited decisions allegedly taken unilaterally by Kumar and alleged poll irregularities; it also challenged the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral rolls.
Opposition leaders
Kiren Rijiju
Purpose of protest
Opposition leaders
The Opposition sought an independent, time-bound investigation into decisions allegedly taken unilaterally by Kumar and suspension of the electoral-roll revision.
Kiren Rijiju
Rijiju said protest was every citizen’s right but called the alleged abuse of constitutional authorities deplorable.
The Opposition held four marches, three of which security forces stopped midway.
Opposition leaders met at Constitution Club to finalise the petition.
A march scheduled for 1.30pm did not start before 4pm.
Thousands joined the march, which reached the Supreme Court complex, where Rahul Gandhi filed the petition.
- Crowd
- Thousands of people
- March date
- October 12, 2026
- Participating parties
- 16 parties
- Petition defects
- 14, including a ₹220 court-fee shortfall
- Respondents
- Election Commission of India, Gyanesh Kumar and two other election commissioners
What people are saying
Today was a very important day because we needed to show the government that the people of India are not going to be intimidated
Protest is the right of every citizen but brazenly abusing constitutional authorities is deplorable.
Sources
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