Controversy over removal of temple from the residence of Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court: Lawyers appeal to CJI

The matter of removal of Hanuman temple from the official residence of Madhya Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait has come into controversy. The High Court Bar Association has expressed strong objection to this incident and termed it an insult to the followers of Sanatan Dharma. Considering the matter as serious, the lawyers’ association has written a letter to the country’s Chief Justice (CJI) Justice Sanjiv Khanna, demanding an investigation and appealing for action against those responsible.

bar association allegation

In a letter to the CJI, the Bar Association claimed that:

• The Hanuman temple was historic and many former Chief Justices of the High Court used to worship there.
• Former Chief Justices, such as Justice SA Bobde, Justice AM Khanwilkar, and Justice Hemant Gupta, had also offered prayers at this temple.
• Apart from this, the staff working in the Chief Justice’s residence also used to worship here regularly.

Muslim Chief Justice did not object

The letter states that many Muslim Chief Justices, such as Justice Rafat Alam and Justice Rafiq Ahmed, have lived in this government residence.

• None of them raised any objection to the temple.
• The question has been raised that when no one had any objection earlier, why was the temple removed now?

claim to be government property

The Bar Association states that:

• The Chief Justice’s bungalow and the temple situated in it, both are government property.
• The temple has also been rebuilt several times with government funds.
• It is illegal to remove the temple without government permission or statutory order.

The letter also said that most of the Chief Justice and employees were followers of Sanatan Dharma.

• It is unfair to force them to go far for their worship.
• This has been described as an insult to the followers of Sanatan Dharma.

Complaint of advocate Ravindra Nath Tripathi

Earlier, advocate Ravindra Nath Tripathi had written a letter to the President, Prime Minister, CJI, and Union Law Minister demanding action against Justice Suresh Kumar Kait.

• Tripathi alleges that Justice Kait got the Hanuman temple established for a long time in the temple premises demolished.
• He also said that it was not his personal property and he had no right to do so.

Following Tripathi’s complaint, another lawyer across the state has filed a PIL based on this incident, demanding removal of temples located in all police stations.

Background of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait

• Three months ago, the Supreme Court Collegium had appointed senior Delhi High Court judge Justice Suresh Kumar Kait as the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court.
• Earlier, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva held this post.
• Justice Kait, a resident of Kaithal district of Haryana, has heard many important cases like Jamia violence and CAA protests while in the Delhi High Court.