Missing pages, unclear Kharge ID: SC flags over 10 defects in Rahul Gandhi's SIR plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court registry has flagged more than 10 defects in a petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders challenging alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The objections, raised on Monday, include missing or illegible pages, an unclear copy of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's identity card and a shortfall of more than Rs 200 in court fees, according to sources.

The registry has directed the lawyer handling the filing to submit a clearer copy of Kharge's ID card. Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, is among the co-petitioners in the case.

Sources said the registry also identified several pages in the petition that were either missing or difficult to read. The defects will need to be rectified before the petition can proceed through the court's filing process.

The objections came hours after Gandhi and several opposition leaders marched to the Supreme Court to submit the petition, seeking judicial intervention over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

The petition calls for the constitution of an independent committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, assisted by technical experts and other eminent citizens.

The proposed panel would be tasked with conducting a time-bound, independent audit of voter deletions and modifications carried out during the SIR exercise.

The opposition has raised concerns over alleged large-scale deletions from electoral rolls, accusing the Election Commission of undermining the electoral process.

Rahul Gandhi to host INDIA bloc MPs amid SIR controversy

Meanwhile, Gandhi has invited MPs belonging to the opposition INDIA bloc for a high tea at his residence in New Delhi on Tuesday, sources said.

The meeting, scheduled to take place at his 5, Sunehri Bagh Road residence, is expected to focus on coordinating the opposition's next course of action against alleged electoral irregularities.

According to sources, discussions could centre on intensifying joint protests against alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) and pressing for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The opposition leaders may also consider organising another protest or holding a joint press conference following the meeting. However, the details of any proposed action have not been disclosed.

The meeting comes a day after opposition leaders, activists and civil society representatives participated in a "March for Democracy" in the national capital.

The march, held along a heavily barricaded route, culminated in the filing of the joint petition before the Supreme Court.

The demonstration marked a significant escalation in the opposition's campaign against the SIR exercise and alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.