Ahead of retirement, CJI Chandrachud addresses controversy on PM Modi's visit to his residence on Ganpati Puja

Speaking at the Loksatta lecture series in Mumbai on Sunday, the Chief Justice clarified that such meetings are routine and focused on judiciary infrastructure, not judicial matters, reported India Today.

"There is enough maturity among judges of constitutional courts and the heads of the executive to firmly keep aside judicial matters out of the purview of any discussion," he stated, according to the report.

He dismissed the idea of "deals" being made, adding, "People think there are deals being made, but that is not the case. This is part of the robust dialogue between different arms of the government. The work of all three arms is dedicated to the betterment of the nation."

Addressing the Opposition’s concerns, Chief Justice Chandrachud explained that these engagements are common for discussing critical infrastructure needs, including new court buildings and accommodation for judges.

He said, "You never meet for a judicial discussion. And the maturity of our political system lies in the fact that there is a great deal of deference to the judiciary, even in the political class."

Referring to his experiences in various High Courts, he noted the importance of coordinating with Chief Ministers to advance judicial infrastructure, stating, "For this, you need a meeting of the Chief Justice and the Chief Minister."

The Chief Justice emphasized the essential role of these interactions for a functional government structure, stating, "We have to understand that the work of all three arms is dedicated to one and the same goal—the betterment of the nation. So long as we trust this process, I think we must accept that there has to be continuing dialogue."

He also addressed social occasions where judges may meet political figures, emphasizing that judicial matters are never discussed in these informal settings.

PM Modi’s visit to Chief Justice Chandrachud’s residence for Ganpati puja stirred significant controversy.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut called for Justice Chandrachud’s recusal from the ongoing case between Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Eknath Shinde-led faction, a sentiment echoed by party leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, who referenced delays in the Sena vs. Sena case.

"Ganpati puja is a personal issue, but you are taking a camera. The message it sends is uncomfortable. The Chief Justice of India and the Prime Minister are tall personalities. So what can we say if they agreed to put out these photographs in the public domain," added RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla defended the event, pointing out that in 2009, then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted an Iftar attended by then-Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan.