Nothing Wrong In PM Modi's Visit To My House For Ganpati Puja: CJI Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, addressed the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to his residence for Ganpati prayers. He stated there was no issue with the visit and emphasised the need for maturity in political discussions on such matters. Opposition parties, led by Congress, expressed concerns about the separation of powers between the judiciary and executive, while the BJP dismissed these criticisms.

At an event organised by the Indian Express, CJI Chandrachud explained that dialogue between the judiciary and executive is part of a robust inter-institutional mechanism. He clarified that separation of powers does not imply that these branches should avoid interaction. He noted that meetings between chief justices and chief ministers are common for discussing administrative issues like budgeting and infrastructure.

Judiciary and Executive Relations

The CJI elaborated on the Prime Minister's visit, stating, "The PM visited my residence for Ganpati puja. I do feel there is absolutely nothing wrong as these are continuing meetings between the judiciary and the executive even at the social level." He highlighted that such interactions occur at events like Republic Day and involve discussions unrelated to judicial cases.

CJI Chandrachud, who will retire on November 10, stressed the importance of trust in judges. He mentioned that their work is evaluated through written judgments open to scrutiny. He reiterated that dialogue with the executive on administrative matters does not influence judicial decisions.

Faith and Judicial Objectivity

Addressing his statement about praying for a solution to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir dispute, CJI Chandrachud described himself as a person of faith who respects all religions equally. He explained that his faith provides calmness and objectivity in handling conflicts but does not affect his judicial decisions.

During a felicitation ceremony in his native village, he shared how he prayed for a resolution to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. He emphasised that faith should not be linked to one's ability to deliver justice impartially.

Handling Media Perceptions

CJI Chandrachud discussed media perceptions of court cases, noting that media often highlights certain aspects which may differ from judicial findings. He prioritised bail cases due to their impact on personal liberty, revealing that over 21,000 bail cases were filed in the Supreme Court between November 2022 and November 2024.

He mentioned granting bail in various high-profile cases, stating his approach is consistent regardless of media portrayal. "Speaking for myself, I have granted bail from A to Z Arnab Goswami to Zubair," he said at the event.

Institutional Discipline

When asked about a press conference by four Supreme Court judges in 2018 against ex-CJI Dipak Misra, CJI Chandrachud emphasised institutional discipline and room for dialogue. He praised CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna as an objective individual capable of maintaining composure during conflicts.

In response to a question about including opposition leaders in Ganesh Puja pictures, he humorously remarked it was not a selection committee for appointments like Central Vigilance Commissioner or CBI Director.

CJI Chandrachud also addressed social visits during personal occasions like marriages or deaths, highlighting them as basic courtesies. He urged people to trust judges and refrain from attributing motives to them, as such actions undermine society's integrity.