Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud addressed recent political controversies over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ganesh Puja visit to his home, clarifying that no judicial matters are discussed during such interactions. Speaking at the Loksatta annual lecture, Chief Justice Chandrachud explained that meetings between chief justices and chief ministers are routine, aimed at discussing judicial infrastructure needs, including new court buildings and accommodations for judges.

“People wonder why these meetings happen. The maturity in our political system shows in the respect given to the judiciary, even within politics. It’s known that the judiciary’s budget comes from the state. This budget isn’t for judges personally but for judicial infrastructure needs. The Chief Minister and Chief Justice meetings are necessary for this,” he noted.

Reflecting on his time as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, he said, "Typically, the Chief Justice and Chief Minister meet to address ongoing state projects, infrastructure status, and budgets. These agendas are set, and discussions about pending cases never arise. It’s essential for project coordination—letters alone would leave these efforts incomplete."

The Chief Justice also highlighted that social meetings, whether during national celebrations or personal gatherings, remain unrelated to judicial decisions. Despite these clarifications, visuals of PM Modi attending Ganesh Puja at the Chief Justice’s residence sparked criticism from some opposition leaders. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, for example, suggested that Chief Justice Chandrachud should consider recusing himself from a Shiv Sena-related case. Raut commented, “With the Prime Minister visiting the Chief Justice’s home for puja, people may harbor doubts.”

RJD MP Manoj Jha echoed concerns over the public display of the meeting, emphasizing the importance of visible institutional independence.

The BJP countered opposition criticisms, with Union Minister Bhupender Yadav remarking that leaders who applaud Prime Ministers attending Iftar parties are now uncomfortable with Ganesh Puja celebrations. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also noted that former CJI KG Balakrishnan attended an Iftar hosted by then PM Manmohan Singh in 2009, highlighting that such gatherings are longstanding traditions.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud is set to retire on November 10, with Justice Sanjiv Khanna succeeding him as the head of the Supreme Court.