Kapil Sibal says PM’s visit to CJI’s resident shouldn’t have been publicised

Amid raging controversy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to CJI DY Chandrachud’s residence to attend Ganesh Puja, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Kapil Sibal on Thursday said such a private visit shouldn’t have been publicised as it has given an opportunity to people to gossip about the Judiciary.

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“It is not a public matter and, therefore, should be no videography, photographs which then should be allowed to be made public... especially in the context of people holding highest positions in the country because what happens is it sort of ignites a debate which is unnecessary and harmful to the institution,” Sibal said, adding, he was “really surprised” to see the clip going viral online.

Describing CJI Chandrachud as “a man of great personal integrity”, Sibal urged the media not to blow it out of proportion and speculate on personal motives. The CJI may not have known that the video of the function would be publicised, he added.

“No public functionary, whoever it may be, especially those who hold the highest post in India - the President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India - should publicise a private event. I am sure that maybe the Chief Justice may not have known that this was being publicised. The Prime Minister should never have shown his interest to go to such a private event, because the Prime Minister and those he must have consulted should, and must have told them that this may send a wrong signal,” Sibal said.

“Quite frankly, I was taken aback. I have been in the Supreme Court, in this institution for over 50 years. I have seen the greatest of judges, both past and the present. We are passionate about the institution, not passionate about any individual... I have great respect for the present Chief Justice. I can say without any hesitation that he is a man of great personal integrity,” Sibal said.

Requesting the Prime Minister not to make a spectacle of these events, the SCBA President said, “It’s not the first time that there is a Chief Justice from Maharashtra … and in the context that there is going to be an election in Maharashtra, that’s not an opportune time for the Prime Minister to have made a public spectacle of a private ceremony.”

“Once you do this, what message do you send to those in the high courts and judiciary functioning at various levels in the country. They also look upon these things. Therefore, that sends a signal which is also unfortunate,” Sibal said.