A massive row has erupted after a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud’s home for Ganesh Puja surfaced on social media. Modi on September 11 visited the residence of Chandrachud and offered prayers on the occasion of Ganesh festival, which drew mixed responses.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal said he was taken “aback” when he saw the video clips of their meet circulating on social media. “I have been in the Supreme Court and in this institution for over 50 years. I have great respect for the present CJI,” Sibal said, adding that he was surprised on seeing the clip going viral.
In one of the videos, Chandrachud and his wife Kalpana Das were seen welcoming Modi at their house. Modi was also seen participating in the puja.
“I am sure that maybe the CJI may not have known that this was being publicised. The Prime Minister should never have shown his interest to go to such a private event,” Sibal said.
Several other prominent lawyers and politicians commented on Modi’s visit to the CJI’s residence. Senior advocate and former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Indira Jaising said that the CJI has compromised the separation of powers between the executive and judiciary. “Lost all confidence in the independence of the CJI,” Jaising wrote on social media platform X.
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan said it was shocking that CJI Chandrachud allowed Modi to visit him at his residence for a private meeting.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut demanded that Chandrachud recuse himself from the cases tied to the disqualification petitions concerning rebel Shiv Sena and NCP MLAs, according to a PTI report. Raut said doubt arises in the minds of people when “protectors of the Constitution meet politicians”.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) headed by Uddhav Thackeray is caught in a legal wrangle with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, with the matter reaching the Supreme Court, after the split in the Bal Thackeray-founded party two years ago.
Last year’s split in the Sharad Pawar-founded Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has also reached the apex court.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), defended PM’s visit. BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla, in a post on X, said attending Ganesh puja is no crime and added that there are various instances when judiciary and politicians share stage.
“Should the different pillars of democracy not converge? Should they be enemies? Should they have no courtesies towards each other?” BJP MP Sambit Patra questioned.
Indian lawyer and politician Mahesh Jethmalani said that PM Modi did nothing wrong by attending puja at the CJI's residence.
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