In a recent statement dated September 24, 2024, Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court shed light on the longstanding tradition of interactions between Indian Chief Justices and political leaders, emphasizing that such meetings are not out of the ordinary. He referenced the autobiographies of two eminent Chief Justices, M.C. Chagla and P.B. Gajendragadkar, to illustrate the nature of these encounters.
Justice Swaminathan highlighted that M.C. Chagla, who served as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court post-independence, regularly met with then-Chief Minister Morarji Desai to discuss administrative matters. These informal meetings, often held over lunch at Chagla’s residence, enabled swift resolutions to issues related to the judiciary and the government. Chagla humorously noted that Desai became more agreeable to his proposals after a good meal. Despite their camaraderie, the two never played bridge together due to their differing views on playing for stakes.
Justice Swaminathan also recounted an episode from Justice P.B. Gajendragadkar’s tenure as Chief Justice of India, during which he shared a close relationship with Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. Shastri sought Gajendragadkar’s help in evaluating allegations against his cabinet colleague T.T. Krishnamachari (TTK). Despite declining to lead the inquiry due to his personal friendship with TTK, Gajendragadkar recommended another judge for the task. However, Shastri used Gajendragadkar’s name to pressure TTK into resigning, leading to a strained relationship between the two friends. Gajendragadkar later expressed deep regret over the incident.
Justice Swaminathan cited these historical examples to underscore that meetings between the Chief Justice and the Prime Minister, even in private settings, are neither unusual nor improper. He suggested that such interactions have long been a part of India’s judicial and political landscape, helping to resolve administrative matters efficiently.
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