Maharashtra declares CJI BR Gavai as Permanent State Guest, issues protocol guidelines
Mumbai: Amid backlash over an alleged protocol lapse during the felicitation of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai, the Maharashtra government has officially declared the CJI a Permanent State Guest. The decision comes with updated protocol guidelines to ensure proper decorum during future visits of the country's top judge.
Under this status, the Chief Justice will now be entitled to all facilities listed under the Maharashtra State Guest Rules, 2004, including accommodation, transport, and security across the state during official visits. The announcement follows criticism from opposition leaders who slammed the state government for the absence of top officials during CJI Gavai’s recent felicitation event in Mumbai.
According to the protocol circular, formal reception and farewell procedures will be overseen by the State Protocol Subdivision in Mumbai and the respective District Collectors elsewhere. In the financial capital, either the Chief Secretary or a senior representative, along with the Director General of Police or equivalent, must be present to receive the CJI. In other districts, the responsibility will rest with the District Collector and the local police leadership.
Furthermore, as per the General Administration Department’s directive dated March 7, 2022, liaison officers will be appointed to coordinate arrangements. In Mumbai, this task falls to the Law and Judiciary Department, while in other districts, local courts will consult with the Collector’s office to designate a Group-A level officer.
The government has instructed all departments to ensure strict compliance with the revised guidelines to uphold the dignity of the judiciary.
The move comes in response to comments made by CJI Gavai during a Sunday event organised by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa. He expressed disappointment over the absence of key state functionaries, stating, “If the Chief Secretary, DGP or Mumbai Police Commissioner do not feel it necessary to come, it is for them to think about.”
Opposition leaders including Congress' Nana Patole and UBT's Ambadas Danve criticized the lapse, alleging it was a deliberate insult to the CJI, who hails from Maharashtra and is known for his Ambedkarite ideology.
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UP court rejects plea seeking Rahul Gandhi's voice sample in defamation case
Sultanpur (UP) (PTI): A local MP/MLA court on Saturday rejected a plea seeking a voice sample of Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed by a BJP functionary against the Congress leader, and posted the matter for next hearing on May 11.
The plea, filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra through his counsel Santosh Kumar Pandey, had sought Gandhi's voice sample for a forensic test to compare it with an audio clip.
After the petition was dismissed, Pandey said they would file a revision plea before the sessions court against the order.
The court rejected the plea after hearing the arguments of both sides, including Gandhi's counsel Kashi Prasad Shukla.
The matter dates back to 2018 when Mishra, a local BJP leader, filed a defamation suit over Gandhi’s alleged objectionable remarks targeting Amit Shah while campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly elections.
After five years of legal proceedings, the court issued a warrant against Gandhi in December 2023.
The Rae Bareli MP surrendered before the court in February 2024, and was granted bail on two sureties of Rs 25,000 each by a special magistrate.
On July 26 last year, the Congress leader recorded his statement before the court, claiming innocence and calling the case a political conspiracy.
Earlier this year, multiple hearings were postponed due to a strike by lawyers and the ill-health of Gandhi’s counsel.
