PM Modi at Chief Justice's residence for Ganpati Puja sparks row

Top government sources told India Today that the CJI had sent invites to several dignitaries, including the Prime Minister, for the Ganpati Puja.

In Short

• Opposition says PM Modi's visit might raise doubts about judicial impartiality
• Sanjay Raut asks CJI Chandrachud to recuse from Sena vs Sena case
• Government sources say the CJI sent invites to several dignitaries

A controversy erupted after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Ganpati Puja celebrations at the residence of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) suggesting that it might raise doubts about judicial impartiality in the minds of the people. Hitting back at the opposition, the BJP said PM Modi's visit was restricted to Ganpati Puja celebrations, and it was a "part of our culture".

The row started after Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said a "custodian of the Constitution" meeting politicians could raise doubts in the minds of people.

He also advised CJI Chandrachud to recuse himself from the case where the Uddhav Thackeray camp had challenged the Maharashtra Speaker's decision to recognise the Eknath Shinde-led faction as the real Shiv Sena.

"Our case of Maharashtra... the hearing is going on before CJI Chandrachud, so we have doubts if we will get justice because the PM is the other party in the case. The Chief Justice should distance himself from this case because his relation with the other party in the case is openly visible. Will CJI Chandrachud be able to give us justice in such a situation?" Raut said.

In a post on X, the Rajya Sabha MP listed recent cases where the Supreme Court has not given a favourable ruling for the Opposition. Raut mentioned the top court's suo motu cognisance of the Kolkata rape-murder case and the bail hearing of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"One should understand the chronology to understand all such cases," Raut tweeted.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also took potshots at the judiciary.

"After the festivities are over, hopefully the CJI will deem fit and be slightly freer to conclude the hearing on Maharashtra and the blatant disregard of Article 10 of the Constitution in Maharashtra. Oh wait, elections are round the corner anyway, it can be adjourned for another day," Chaturvedi tweeted.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister participated in the Ganpati Puja festivities at Chandrachud's residence in Delhi. The Chief Justice and his wife, Kalpana Das, were seen welcoming Modi, who wore traditional Maharashtrian attire for the occasion.

Top government sources told India Today that the CJI had sent invites to several dignitaries, including the Prime Minister, for the Ganpati Puja. Sources said PM Modi left immediately after the ritual and after taking prasad. Several other officials of the Supreme Court were also present at the event.

'RECKLESS BID TO UNDERMINE CJI'S CREDIBILITY'

In a sharp retort to the opposition's allegations, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora said casting such "baseless aspersions" on the highest court was a "dangerous precedent".

"This reckless attempt to undermine the credibility of the CJI by the opposition is not only irresponsible but also damaging to the institution's integrity," the former Congress leader said.

Calling the remarks by the opposition "unfortunate", Deora said, "Those seeking to tarnish his (Chandrachud) legacy and credibility are showing poor judgment and acting against the nation's best interests.

BJP's national secretary (organisation), BL Santhosh, also attacked the Opposition for politicising the Prime Minister's visit to the CJI's residence.

"Civility, cordiality, togetherness, co-travellers in nations journey are all an anathema to these left liberals. Also, it was not socialising but a devoted Ganapathi Pooja is very hard to digest. SCBA (Supreme Court Bar Association) is not a moral compass. Take a deep breath once," Santhosh tweeted.

His post was a response to senior advocate Indira Jaising, who said in a post on X that the SCBA should condemn PM Modi's visit. "Chief Justice of India has compromised the separation of powers between the executive and judiciary," Jaising tweeted.

Reacting to Santhosh, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said the BJP leader's statement made it clear that the saffron party uses "worship for political gains".

Hitting out at the "Congress and communist ecosystem", BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya recalled the time when the then CJI attended the Iftar party hosted by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"The entire Congress and Communist ecosystem is in a twist after PM Modi attended Ganpati Poojan at CJI DY Chandrachud's residence. The same suspects held it as an epitome of secularism when Dr Manmohan Singh hosted Iftar parties and then CJI would attend," he tweeted.