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Synopsis

CJI DY Chandrachud has recently said during a lecture series that administrative relationship between the Supreme Court and the Government of the day is distinct from the judicial work done by the apex court.

In the backdrop of the Prime Minister of India visiting his house recently for Ganesh Puja, the CJI has clarified, "It is a tradition that the CM or the Chief Justice will meet each other on festivals or bereavement. But surely we must have the maturity to understand it has no bearing at all on our judicial work...".

He further added we must accept that there has to be a continuing dialogue, not in terms of the work that judges do, as in so many ways, there is an intersection between the work of the judiciary and government on the administrative side.

While delivering the inaugural lecture in the Loksatta Annual Lecture series at Mumbai University, the CJI further explained that no deals were being struck at these meetings between the judiciary and executive. "This is part of a robust dialogue between different arms of the government. We have three arms of the government – the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. We have to understand that the work of all the three arms is dedicated to one and the same goal namely, the betterment of the nation...", he added.

A few days back, CJI had also addressed the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to his home for Ganesh Puja. 

Terming the controversy to be “unnecessary, unwarranted, and illogical”, the CJI has said political executives, can pay a visit to houses of judges on social occasions, adding that the spirit of an independent judiciary is so much entrenched among judges that judicial matters are “never discussed”.

On September 11, PM Modi's attendance at Ganpati Puja at CJI Chandrachud's residence drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders and several advocates citing concerns over the judiciary's independence.

The event sparked strong reactions from opposition leaders and some Supreme Court lawyers. Senior advocate Indira Jaising criticized the Prime Minister’s presence, stating on X that the Chief Justice had blurred the lines between the executive and judiciary.

According to media reports, the Shiv Sena (UBT) voiced concerns, suggesting that such a gathering could raise public doubts about the judiciary’s impartiality. In response, the BJP defended the visit, stating that it was solely for the Ganpati Puja and emphasized that such events are "a part of our culture."

Recently, Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal had also addressed the meeting and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not have shown any interest in attending the Ganesh Puja at Chief Justice Of India DY Chandrachud's home. Sibal, who is also the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president, also extended his request to the Prime Minister not to make a spectacle of such private events. 

Sibal had also questioned the CJI over the message this meeting would send to the judiciary. "Once you do this, what message does it send to the high courts and the judiciary, they also look upon these things, that sends an unfortunate signal. My view is it should have best been avoided", he added.