BCI Chairman Responds to Raut's Criticism of PM-CJI Meeting During Ganesh Puja

Senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra addressed Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut's concerns over Prime Minister Modi's visit to Chief Justice Chandrachud's residence for Ganesh Puja, emphasizing the social-religious nature of the event. Raut questioned the Chief Justice's impartiality in a key Maharashtra case.

Bar Council of India Chairman and BJP Rajya Sabha MP, senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, on Thursday responded to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's criticism regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud's residence for Ganesh Puja. Mishra stated, 'Sanjay Raut is a seasoned leader. I would not like to say much, but those who are involved in cases will object a little.' He emphasized that Raut's concerns would not affect the Supreme Court's judgement, highlighting the Ganesh Aarti as a 'social-religious function.'

'The PM went there, offered prayers, and returned. If there had been a different kind of meeting, it would have been done confidentially...mocking these meetings isn't right,' Mishra added. He also criticized the silence over a politician's recent meeting with 'anti-India elements abroad.' According to Mishra, Raut should appreciate the good coordination between the judiciary and executive instead of objecting to it.

Raut had expressed concerns about Chief Justice Chandrachud's impartiality after the Ganesh Aarti with Prime Minister Modi. He questioned how this interaction could affect a major ongoing case in Maharashtra, where Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Prabhu has challenged the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker's ruling declaring the Eknath Shinde-led faction as the 'real' Shiv Sena. Raut suggested that the Chief Justice's proximity to the Prime Minister could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

The event in question took place during the Ganpati festival when Prime Minister Modi visited Chief Justice Chandrachud's residence, and the two performed a Ganesh Aarti together. Raut criticized the unusual nature of the visit and expressed concerns about the Chief Justice's potential bias due to his interaction with the Prime Minister, who is a party in the Maharashtra case. He argued that the Chief Justice should recuse himself from the case to maintain public trust.

(With inputs from agencies.)