Today, On 3rd February, Retired Supreme Court judge Hrishikesh Roy expressed concern over the optics of PM Modi’s visit to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s home for Ganpati Puja, calling it “disturbing.” He clarified, however, that no court-related discussions took place during the visit. Roy emphasized that such events could have been avoided to prevent any perception of undue influence. The incident raised questions about the separation of powers and judicial independence.
New Delhi: Justice Hrishikesh Roy, who retired from the Supreme Court on Saturday, addressed the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at the Ganpati Puja celebrations hosted by then Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.
In an interview with India Today TV, Justice Roy remarked,
“The incident was a private function of the Chief Justice. While the optics might have appeared somewhat troubling, in hindsight, I think it could have been avoided,”
He elaborated that had the meeting remained private and not received media attention, it likely wouldn’t have raised any concerns.
He explained,
“The issue stemmed from the event moving from the Puja room into the public eye, leading to unnecessary speculation,”
Justice Roy expressed confidence that there was no discussion of court-related matters between the two, nor any attempt to influence the judge’s decisions.
He stated,
“Justice Chandrachud is a man of integrity, and I have no hesitation in stating that. I firmly believe there would have been no reason for him to discuss any court-related issues with the Prime Minister during that meeting,”
When asked if judges should limit their interactions with members of the Executive, he referred to the Bangalore principles of judicial propriety, noting that judges typically do not engage with those in power except at official functions.
Regarding Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav’s comments, Justice Roy mentioned that the country operates according to the wishes of the majority. He noted that Justice Yadav had promised a public apology, but when it was not forthcoming, an inquiry was initiated, which is currently ongoing.
He said,
“Justice Yadav met with the collegium members and offered a private apology, but it was insisted that he make a public one. When that didn’t happen, an inquiry was launched,”
Addressing concerns about the collegium system for judicial appointments, Justice Roy defended the current method, asserting that no superior alternative exists at this time. He revealed that Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna recently decided to reinstate the practice of interviewing or interacting with nominees, which had been discontinued about six years ago.
When asked about a change he would like to see in the judiciary, Justice Roy expressed a desire for more women to be appointed as judges.
He noted,
“We are making progress in that direction. While results may not be immediate, many women are entering the legal profession and being selected for the district-level judiciary. Eventually, they will ascend to the High Court and then the Supreme Court, thereby increasing the pool of candidates,”
Also Read: “Bail Matters Should End at The High Court”: Justice Hrishikesh Roy Opined
Born on February 1, 1960, Justice Roy began his legal journey with an LL.B degree from the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi, in 1982. His career milestones include being designated as Senior Advocate by the Gauhati High Court in 2004, appointed as a judge of the Gauhati High Court, serving as Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, and his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2019.
As the legal community bids farewell to Justice Roy, his legacy of judicial compassion, dedication to the arts, and commitment to justice will continue to inspire future generations.
During his tenure, Justice Roy authored 45 judgments and was part of 324 benches. He was among the four judges elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019, alongside Justices Krishna Murari, S.R. Bhat, and V. Ramasubramanian.
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