Thu Sep 12 16:59:40 UTC 2024: ## PM Modi’s Visit to CJI Chandrachud’s Residence Sparks Controversy

**New Delhi:** Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the residence of Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud to participate in Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations has sparked widespread controversy and raised concerns about the potential for compromising the judiciary’s independence.

The image of the PM at the CJI’s residence, which went viral on social media, drew sharp criticism from legal experts and observers alike. Many argue that the visit, even though it was for a private religious event, appears to blur the lines between the executive and judiciary, potentially undermining the principle of separation of powers.

The criticism comes at a crucial time, as CJI Chandrachud is set to retire on November 10. The visit has fuelled speculation about potential post-retirement appointments for the outgoing CJI, further fueling concerns about undue influence.

While CJI Chandrachud has delivered several landmark judgments, including striking down the Electoral Bonds Scheme and authoring dissents in the Aadhaar and Bhima Koregaon cases, his record is mixed. His participation in the Ayodhya bench, which legitimized the building of a Ram temple, has been a subject of debate, as has his dissent in cases favoring the government.

However, the PM’s visit to his residence has overshadowed his otherwise successful judicial career, leading to accusations of compromising the judiciary’s independence. Senior advocate Indira Jaising called it a “displayed compromise of Independence of the CJI from the Executive” and urged the Supreme Court Bar Association to condemn the incident.

This incident echoes concerns raised in the past about the judiciary’s independence. Justice P.N. Bhagwati’s letter to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1980, offering congratulations on her electoral victory, had also sparked similar criticisms.

While historical precedents exist, many argue that the present situation is egregious, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s own “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life” which emphasizes the need for aloofness and upholding public esteem.

The controversy has reignited debates about the potential for post-retirement jobs influencing judicial decisions, as highlighted in a research paper by Shubhankar Dam.

The PM’s visit to the CJI’s residence, even though for a religious event, has unfortunately reinforced the perception that it could be a precursor to a post-retirement sinecure for the CJI without a cooling-off period.

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