'Shouldn't be Questioned': Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra on PM Modi's Visit To CJI's Residence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday visited Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud's residence in New Delhi for Ganpati Puja.

PM Modi's visit has sparked a controversy with the Opposition questioning its impact on judicial transparency. 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".

Speaking exclusively to Republic, Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra said that personal interactions are bound to happen and the same shouldn't be questioned. "This is a personal and private event which I do not think qualifies as reducing the dignity of either constitutional authority," Luthra said. 

"We can't cast a doubt on everything that happens, both institutions are governed by norms and the Constitution, an isolated event doesn't define them," he said. 
 

#EXCLUSIVE | Siddharth Luthra, Senior Supreme Court Advocate to Republic | 'We can't cast a doubt on everything that happens, institutions are governed by norms and Constitution, an isolated event doesn't define them'.
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.#CJIDYChandrachud #NarendraModi #PMModi #GaneshChaturthi pic.twitter.com/NRkmN01MuD

— Republic (@republic)

Several opposition leaders had reacted sharply to PM Modi attending the puja at the CJI's residence.
 
“The Prime Minister visited the Chief Justice's residence and they performed aarti together. Our concern is that when the custodians of the Constitution meet with political leaders in this manner, it raises doubts,” Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut had said.

In a post on X, Priyanka Chaturvedi had said,  "Lost all confidence in the independence of the CJI. The SCBA (Supreme Court Bar Association) must condemn this publicly displayed compromise of Independence of the CJI from the executive.

Senior lawyer Indira Jaising said the Chief Justice of India has compromised the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary. "Lost all confidence in the independence of the CJI. The SCBA (Supreme Court Bar Association) must condemn this publicly displayed compromise of Independence of the CJI from the executive," she said in her post.

The BJP and its ally hit out at the opposition parties, calling their reactions "reckless" and said casting "baseless aspersions" on the highest court sets a dangerous precedent.

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora flayed the critics and said it's unfortunate to see "reckless commentary" on Prime Minister Modi's visit to the CJI's residence for Ganapati Aarti. "When verdicts favour them, the opposition praises the Supreme Court's credibility, but when things don't go their way, they conveniently claim the judiciary is compromised," he charged in a post on X.

"Started crying! 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 is not a moral compass. Take deep breath once," BJP's BL Santhosh said in a post on X reacting to Jaising's comments.