The Opposition on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he attended the Ganpati Puja celebrations at Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud’s residence and criticised his move.

Several opposition leaders and some lawyers of the Supreme Court reacted sharply to Modi attending the puja at the CJI’s residence.

“Ganpati Utsav is being celebrated and people visit each other’s houses. I don’t have information whether the Prime Minister has visited anyone’s house,” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said.

“However, the Prime Minister visited the CJI’s residence. They performed ‘aarti’ together. We think that people will have doubts if guardians of the Constitution meet political leaders,” Raut added.

Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday participated in the Ganpati Puja at the CJI’s residence here.

President of the Supreme Court Bar Association and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal criticised PM Modi for attending the Ganpati Puja at CJI Chandrachud’s residence saying the Prime Minister should not publicise a private meeting and should not make a spectacle of such events.

He added saying PM should never have shown his interest to go to such a private affair.

“My religion and my way of expressing myself in the context of my beliefs is a private affair. Therefore, there should be no videography or photography which are then made public. Especially in the context of people holding the highest positions in the country,” he emphasised.

In a post on X, senior lawyer Indira Jaising said the Chief Justice of India has compromised the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.

“Lost all confidence in the independence of the CJI. The SCBA (Supreme Court Bar Association) must condemn this publicly displayed compromise of Independence of the CJI from the executive,” she said in her post.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan also criticised the move stating the CJI’s decision to host the Prime Minister sends a bad signal regarding the judiciary’s responsibility to safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights and ensure the government adheres to the Constitution. Bhushan emphasised the need for a clear separation between the two branches.

In another post, Bhushan quoted the ‘Code of Conduct for Judges’, “A Judge Should practice a degree of aloofness consistent with the dignity of his office. There should be no act or omission by him which is unbecoming of the high office he occupies and the public esteem in which that office is held.”

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who was admitted at AIIMS Delhi, passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness. He was 72.

Senior CPI (M) leader Yechury was admitted to the intensive care unit of Delhi AIIMS on August 19 and was being treated for acute respiratory tract infection.

Yechury was suffering from a pneumonia-like infection, but doctors had not disclosed the exact nature of the ailment. He recently underwent cataract surgery.

The CPI(M) leader was undergoing treatment by a multidisciplinary team of doctors.

He is survived by his wife Seema Chishti Yechury and two children.

Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condoled the demise of CPI(M) leader Yechury.

In a post on X, Gandhi said, “Sitaram Yechury ji was a friend. A protector of the Idea of India with a deep understanding of our country. I will miss the long discussions we used to have. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and followers in this hour of grief.”

Announcing the passing away of its stalwart leader Yechury on social media X, the CPI(M) party expressed grief and said, “Our beloved Comrade Sitaram Yechury, at 3.03 pm today, 12th September, at the AIIMS, New Delhi.”

He was suffering from a respiratory tract infection which developed complications, the party said.

“We thank the doctors, nursing staff and the Director of the Institute for the excellent treatment and care extended to Comrade Yechury. Details of public viewing and homage will be informed,” it added.

Born on August 12, 1952, in Chennai, Yechury studied at Delhi University during graduation and completed post-graduation from Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday condemned the attack on a young Army officer and his friend and the alleged sexual assault of their female friend in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, calling it disgraceful for society, adding law and order is almost non-existent in BJP-ruled states.

The Congress leader said the violence against two Army soldiers and the rape of their female companion in Madhya Pradesh was enough to shame the entire society.

“Law and order in BJP-ruled states are almost non-existent and the negative attitude of BJP government towards the day-by-day increasing crimes against women is extremely worrying,” the Rae Bareli MP said in a post on X.

Gandhi said the audacity of these criminals is a result of the complete failure of the administration and added that “the unsafe environment prevailing in the country is a restriction on the freedom and aspirations of the daughters of India.”

He said both the society and the government should be ashamed and think seriously. “How long will they turn a blind eye to the responsibility of protecting half the population of the country,” the former Congress chief expressed his concern.

According to reports, a young Army officer of the Military Headquarters of Welfare Infantry School in Mhow, along with his friend, was assaulted by 7-8 unknown miscreants, and one of their two women friends was allegedly sexually assaulted.

Earlier today, police arrested two people in connection with the assault on a young Army officer and his friend, as per the report.

Speaking to ANI, Indore Rural SP Hitika Vasal said police received information yesterday that four people visited the Army firing range late at night. An incident of 2 people being thrashed occurred there, she added.

“The two others were told to bring Rs 10 Lakhs. The complainant said that their female friend was taken to a corner and then he heard her screams. Complainant suspects that something untoward must have happened to her,” she said.

The Police officer further said that a team reached the spot immediately and upon spotting them, the accused escaped. A team of ten police personnel carried out investigations and police identified 6 named accused, she added.

“Two of them have been arrested. Efforts are underway to nab the remaining four, they will be caught at the earliest. Women’s statement is yet to be recorded, once it happens further action will be taken,” SP Vasal said.