Convening a meeting on issues which are sub judice before the Supreme Court would contravene the principle of separation of powers and is “incompatible with established ethics and judicial propriety,” Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant wrote to leaders of opposition Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.

The CJI said this in a letter declining the request for a meeting by Kharge and Gandhi who sought to submit a memorandum on issues concerning the Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, the alleged arbitrary arrest of several students, closure of metro stations and cancellation of trains.