‘Calculated campaign driven by vested political interests’: 42 former Judges write open letter against targeting of ECI by Opposition and attempt to destabilise India

On Wednesday (7th October), 42 former Judges wrote an open letter to the people of India in defence of the country’s constitutional institutions, which are currently under attack from the Opposition.

“We write because, in moments like these, silence is no longer a neutral choice. Our concern is grave. India’s constitutional bodies are under sustained attack. The Election Commission of India stands at the centre of this assault. Even the higher judiciary which we hold in high esteem, and statutory agencies have not been spared,” they wrote.

“These attacks are not reasoned critique. This appears to be a calculated campaign driven by vested political interests, with little regard for the potentially devastating consequences of destabilising the world’s largest democracy,” the ex-Judges stated.

In an open letter, 42 former judges have expressed grave concern over attempts to undermine the Election Commission, judiciary and other constitutional institutions. The signatories have questioned allegations of “vote theft” without supporting evidence, warning that repeatedly branding constitutional authorities as “thieves” and “compromised” risks eroding public trust in democracy. “Criticism of institutions is a democratic right. Denigration is not,” the letter states.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 8, 2026

They further pointed out that constitutional authorities are being denigrated as ‘thieves’, ‘puppets’ and ‘compromised.’ The former Judges added that claims of ‘vote chori’ are not made before courts but at press conferences.

“Officers who conduct our elections are named, shamed and openly warned of reprisal once power changes hands…When the Commission seeks a sworn declaration, none is filed. Electronic Voting Machines are blamed only after defeat. Victories won on the same machines go unquestioned. A party that governed this nation for over five decades now claims that the very system which elected it is rigged,” they stated.

“They file petition, one after the other. They seldom file proof. The courtroom becomes a stage, and when the judgment is delivered, it is criticised whenever it does not serve their interests,” the former Judges exposed their modus operandi.

They highlighted that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is valid under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. “The last SIR was completed about two decades back. No one called those revisions a conspiracy,” they pointed out.

“A clean roll protects every genuine vote.The highest court in the land has spoken. The Supreme Court upheld the SIR as lawful and within the Commission’s powers. It held that the exercise was founded on a legitimate purpose. It found adequate safeguards of notice, hearing, objection and appeal. It held that the SIR advances the constitutional imperative of free and fair elections. The campaign of casting suspicion continues unabated, regardless of facts or consequences,” the ex-judges added.

They have made distinct appeals to political parties, media, constitutional bodies and citizens.

• To political parties: Contest elections. Do not delegitimise them. Take your grievances to the Commission and the courts, with evidence.
• To the media: Do not amplify conjecture and speculation without first scrutinising and verifying the claims you report. A headline is not evidence, and repetition does not make an allegation the truth.
• To constitutional bodies: Stand firm, remain transparent, address legitimate concerns with clarity, and stay above the political fray.
• To our fellow citizens: Verify the facts before acting on them. Do not let anyone convince you that your vote is meaningless. Your vote is your voice, and it matters.

A total of 42 former Judges signed the open letter. Their names and designations are listed below: