# 'Calculated campaign driven by vested political interests': 42 ex-judges back Gyanesh Kumar in open letter

> A total of 42 former judges on Thursday expressed deep concern over protests targeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying he had been labelled a "puppet", "thief" and "compromised" in what they described as a "calculated campaign driven by vested political interests".

- Published: 2026-10-08T10:30:26.721Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T14:32:42.272Z
- 2 sources
- Topics: Politics
- Involves: 42 former judges, Abhijit Dipke, Cockroach Janata Party, Congress party, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi

## How it developed

- 2026-10-08T10:30:26.721Z - Times of India: ['Calculated campaign driven by vested political interests': 42 ex-judges back Gyanesh Kumar in open letter](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/calculated-campaign-driven-by-vested-political-interests-43-ex-judges-back-gyanesh-kumar-in-open-letter/articleshow/134786250.cms)
- 2026-10-08T14:32:42.272Z - Hindustan Times: [‘Modi may have power, but we have the streets’: CJP’s Dipke leads Bengaluru protest against SIR](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/modi-may-have-power-but-we-have-the-streets-cjp-s-dipke-leads-bengaluru-protest-against-sir-101791468553250.html)

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