Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has issued a strong warning against politicising the Supreme Court as the INDIA bloc prepares to march over its concerns regarding alleged electoral irregularities. With opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge seeking an appointment with the CJI to submit a memorandum, the planned protest has brought the judiciary’s political neutrality and the uninterrupted functioning of the apex court into focus. WATCH

Rahul Gandhi has been booked under the SC/ST Act in Uttarakhand over his remarks on the alleged purification ritual held after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s visit to Haldwani. Gandhi had called the ritual “untouchability disguised as purification” and demanded an FIR against those responsible. Now, following a complaint alleging caste-related and derogatory remarks, Uttarakhand Police has registered an FIR against Gandhi under BNS Sections 196 and 299 and the SC/ST Act.