Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud addressed the recent controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in Ganpati puja at his residence, emphasizing that such meetings between the judiciary and executive focus solely on judicial infrastructure, not judicial decisions.
Speaking at the Loksatta lecture series, CJI Chandrachud dismissed allegations that judicial cases were discussed, stating, “There is enough maturity between judges and executive leaders to keep judicial matters out of these meetings.” He clarified that discussions with the executive are limited to infrastructure development, such as court buildings and judge accommodations, ensuring better judicial functioning.
The Chief Justice underscored the importance of open dialogue among the three branches of government, highlighting that their collective work serves the nation’s betterment. “The judiciary and executive know their roles, and there is no threat, real or perceived, to judicial independence from these engagements,” he said.
CJI Chandrachud noted that it is customary for Chief Justices to meet with Chief Ministers to address administrative matters and ensure smooth governance. He rejected opposition claims of impropriety, calling such meetings essential for building robust infrastructure for the judiciary.
Responding to criticism from opposition leaders, CJI Chandrachud stressed that judges occasionally meet political leaders at social events but never discuss judicial matters in those settings.
Highlighting the need for trust, he concluded, “All three arms of government are working towards the same goal—the nation’s betterment—and continuing dialogue is essential to this process.”
