Controversy erupts over viral video of PM doing Ganesh Puja at CJI's residence

NEW DELHI: A controversy has erupted over a viral video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the residence of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud during the Ganesh Puja.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who is also President of Supreme Court Bar Association, called it unfortunate, saying the CJI is a man of great integrity but making the visit a spectacle by the PM was avoidable.

"I was taken aback something being circulated on social media. I have been in this institution for over 50 years. I have seen greatest of judges of both past and present. We are passionate about the institution not the individual," he said.

With regard to the CJI, he said, "I can say without any hesitation that he is the man of great personal integrity. But I was very surprised when I saw this clip going viral. I have some issues on principles. No public functionary specially those who hold the highest office in the country should not publicise a private event. I am sure the CJI may not have known that this is being published. That is sad."

Secondly, he said the PM should have never shown his interest to go to such a private event. People he must have consulted should have told him that this may send a wrong signal.

"Issue is what impact, this would have on minds of people. If there is a gossip around it is not fair to the institution," Sibal said.

This ignites speculation, there may be nothing behind it, he added.

"It should have best been avoided. I would request media and individuals not be blow it out of proportion, not to speculate and attribute personal motives. I would request the PM not to make a spectacle of personal event. At a time when Maharashtra is going to face elections, this is not the time for the PM to make a spectacle about it," he said.

Earlier senior advocate Indira Jaising took to X to claim, "Chief Justice of India has compromised the separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary. Lost all confidence in the independence of the CJI ."

She demanded the SCBA must condemn this publicly displayed compromise of Independence of the CJI from the Executive.

However, she was questioned by several X users, including one user @CiteCase said, "This is just an academic question. How does attending a Ganpati aarati and inviting PM to house for that purpose compromise separation of powers? If a lawyer invites a judge to a function hosted by him in his home or private place and the latter attends it,does it mean the judge should recuse from every case that lawyer is attending?"

Activist advocate Prashant Bhushan said, "Shocking that CJI Chandrachud allowed Modi to visit him at his residence for a private meeting. Sends a very bad signal to the judiciary which is tasked with the responsibility of protecting fundamental right of citizens from the executive & ensuring that the govt acts within bounds of Constitution. That is why there has to be an arms length separation between the executive & judiciary".

He cited the Code of Conduct for Judges: “A Judge Should practice a degree of aloofness consistent with the dignity of his office.
There should be no act or omission by him which is unbecoming of the high office he occupies and the public esteem in which that office is held”.