Manan Kumar Mishra Responds to Sanjay Raut’s Criticism of PM Modi’s Visit to CJI Chandrachud’s Ganesh Puja

New Delhi, India – Bar Council of India Chairman and BJP Rajya Sabha MP, senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, addressed Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud’s residence for Ganesh Puja.

Mishra’s Response

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 and described the Ganesh Aarti as a ‘social-religious function.’ Mishra added, “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.”

Raut’s Concerns

Sanjay Raut had raised concerns about the impartiality of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud following the Ganesh Aarti with Prime Minister Modi. Raut questioned the Chief Justice’s ability to remain unbiased in a major ongoing case in Maharashtra, where Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Prabhu has challenged the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker’s ruling that declared the Eknath Shinde-led faction as the ‘real’ Shiv Sena.

Raut pointed out the unusual nature of the Prime Minister’s visit, saying, “Look, it is the Ganpati festival. How many people’s houses has the Prime Minister visited so far? I don’t have the information. Ganesh festival is celebrated in many places in Delhi, but the Prime Minister went to the Chief Justice’s house, and the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice together performed the Aarti.”

Impartiality Concerns

Raut expressed concern because the Maharashtra case, which involves allegations against the current state government, is being reviewed by Chief Justice Chandrachud. He suggested that the Chief Justice’s proximity to the Prime Minister, who is a party in the case, could undermine public confidence in the judiciary. Raut said, “Our knowledge of God is such that if the custodians of the Constitution meet political leaders in this manner, then people have doubts.” He added that the Chief Justice should distance himself from the case due to his visible connection with the central government.

Raut concluded, “The Prime Minister is a party in our case. The Central Government and the head of the Central Government come with the judge and sit in the house. So the judge should separate himself from this case and should do Not Before Me because the Prime Minister is a party. His relations with him are openly visible in this case.”