The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a plea seeking mandatory guidelines for public officials and political leaders, which cited alleged discriminatory remarks by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant questioned the neutrality of the petition while acknowledging the eminence of the petitioners—former Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Professor Roop Rekha Verma.

"The petitioners are eminent persons. We respect them. Ask the petitioners not to target any particular individual. Only selected individuals. Others very conveniently ignored. It is not fair," CJI Kant observed.

The bench noted that the plea appeared to target specific individuals while overlooking others, raising concerns about the petition's neutrality.

The apex court suggested framing a mandatory code of conduct for public figures similar to that applicable to public servants.

"We would like to impress upon all political parties the importance of constitutional morality, values, and mutual respect. These principles must be applied uniformly across the board, that is what we expect," CJI Kant stated.

He added that while public servants are governed by extensive laws, rules, and mandates, a similar code of conduct could be considered for public figures.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, sought to withdraw the petition and submitted that he would file a more comprehensive plea on the issue.

The development follows a controversy over a BJP Assam unit video showing Sarma purportedly aiming a rifle at two people, one wearing a skullcap. The video was later deleted following backlash.

A day earlier, the Supreme Court refused a separate SIT probe into this incident, directing petitioners to approach the Gauhati High Court instead and expressing concern over the "disturbing trend" of bypassing High Courts.