Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud has found himself at the center of a political storm after inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the Ganpati Puja at his residence in New Delhi. The event, which took place on Wednesday, saw the CJI and his wife Kalpana Das welcoming the Prime Minister to their home, with PM Modi performing the puja. The move has drawn significant backlash from legal practitioners and opposition leaders, with many accusing the CJI of blurring the lines between the executive and judiciary.
Prashant Bhushan Leads the Criticism
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, known for his outspoken stance on issues involving the judiciary, was one of the first to express dismay over the event. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Bhushan accused the CJI of violating the “Code of Conduct for Judges.” Bhushan highlighted that “a judge should practice a degree of aloofness consistent with the dignity of his office,” arguing that the CJI’s actions sent a “very bad signal” to the judiciary and the public at large.
“It is shocking that CJI Chandrachud allowed Modi to visit him at his residence for a private meeting. It sends a very bad signal to the judiciary, which is tasked with protecting the fundamental rights of citizens from the executive,” Bhushan said.
Opposition Leaders Raise Concerns
The backlash was not limited to the legal community. Leaders from various opposition parties also voiced their concerns. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT) emphasized the optics of the meeting, saying, “People will have doubt if guardians of the Constitution meet political leaders.” RJD MP Manoj Jha echoed similar sentiments, sharing the video of the event on X with a cryptic comment: “That is the state of the republic… Jai Hind.”
Indira Jaising and Others Question Independence of Judiciary
Another prominent voice criticizing the CJI was Senior Advocate Indira Jaising. In a strongly-worded statement, Jaising expressed that she had “lost all confidence in the independence of the CJI.” She went further to suggest that the separation of powers between the judiciary and executive had been compromised, calling for the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to publicly condemn the incident.
Historical Precedents Highlighted
Legal experts also pointed to historical precedents to emphasize the potential impact of such a meeting. Advocate Sanjay Ghosh referenced Justice V.D. Tulzapurkar’s observation from 1980, where he warned that interactions between judges and political figures could erode public confidence in the judiciary. Similarly, CPI(M) Politburo member Dr. Ashok Dhawale sarcastically remarked, “So Justice Chandrachud, after your retirement as CJI in two months, when can we expect you to be elevated to the exalted posts of Rajya Sabha MP, Governor, or on the Adani Board of Directors?”
Modi’s Visit Amid Growing Scrutiny
PM Modi’s visit to the CJI’s residence comes on the heels of a recent gathering involving around 30 retired judges of the Supreme Court and various high courts, organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s legal cell. The meeting raised eyebrows, further fueling concerns about the proximity between the judiciary and the ruling government.