New Delhi, Oct. 12 -- In response to a letter from Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge seeking a meeting with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant to deliberate on issues arising from the ongoing protests in Delhi, the CJI on Sunday declined their request to meet and receive a memorandum, citing the separation of powers doctrine and saying that the issues raised involved matters pending before the Court.

The CJI said the issues raised by the two Opposition leaders were already before the Supreme Court and that discussing them in an administrative meeting would be contrary to the constitutional principle of separation of powers (SoP) and judicial propriety.

In a letter to...