A petition contesting the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls drew a formal notice from the Supreme Court on Thursday, directed at both the Election Commission of India and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Thirteen opposition figures — Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party and twelve colleagues, including Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT) — have collectively filed a petition alleging irregularities in voter rolls, pointing to entries they say are missing or otherwise unaccounted for.

A two-judge panel comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant alongside Justice Joymalya Bagchi took up Raut's petition on a provisional basis during the hearing, while also voicing concern over public statements directed at the courts and calling on the senior parliamentarian to furnish a written account of his recent conduct outside them.

From the bench, CJI Surya Kant responded directly to claims before the court concerning public statements and external pressure directed at members of the judiciary. The bench's written order, covering WP(C) No. 1351/2026, confirmed that the petition lodged by Sanjay Raut — listed as petitioner number six — has been taken up on a provisional basis, with the court directing him to account for his conduct when the matter returns for hearing.

When counsel raised submissions claiming that opposition figures were seeking to apply outside pressure on the judiciary, CJI Surya Kant made clear that no individual or group holds the capacity to exert influence over the courts. Bench members remain attuned to political conversations taking place beyond the courtroom walls, the CJI noted, adding that gaps between what parties argue in filings and what they state in public forums do not go unnoticed.

Remarks Raut made publicly about his contact with the country's top judicial official appear to have prompted the legal attention now directed at him. Objections from Raut followed the Chief Justice's decision not to schedule a meeting with the opposition delegation — which included Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge — over their stated concerns about the Election Commission.

Those who track judicial conduct pointed out that open attacks on a sitting Chief Justice — specifically over that official's choice not to meet privately with political figures on matters either before the courts or touching on institutional boundaries — put the propriety of such pressure under scrutiny, a development that prompted the country's highest court to issue a formal request for an explanation.

A written response was sought from the Election Commission of India — along with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi — with the panel instructed to set out in detail the protective measures put in place during the SIR exercise.

A combined petition lodged in Rahul Gandhi's name calls on the country's highest court to establish an oversight body drawing on retired Supreme Court judges, independent technical specialists, and representatives from civil society. Those filing the petition have asked the independent judicial panel to carry out a structured, deadline-driven technical review of every change made to voter rolls — covering removals, new entries, and amendments — across all constituencies during the Special Intensive Revision drive, ahead of the next round of elections.