MP HC Bar President Expresses Regret Over Letter To CJI Seeking Probe Into Alleged Demolition Of A Temple At Chief Justice's Residence

For context, in his letter to the CJI, Justice BR Gavai, PM Narendra Modi, and President Droupadi Murmu (dated December 22), the Bar Association President had alleged that a temple had been removed from the CJ's residence at the instance of Chief Justice Kaith. The letter had also prayed for criminal action against Chief Justice Kaith.

Days after the local and national media widely covered this letter, the Madhya Pradesh High Court administration refuted such news reports. Importantly, the State Government's Public Works Department (PWD) also clarified that no such temple ever existed in the official residence of the Chief Justice.

Against this backdrop, the Bar President has now expressed regret over his letter.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Justice (dated January 25, 2025), Bar President Jain stated that his letter to the CJI created a situation of confusion, for which he is extremely sad and expressed his regret to the Chief Justice.

In his letter, he also said that there will be no recurrence from his side in this regard in future.

The entire text of the letter is reproduced here:

“दिनांक 22.12.2024 को मुझे संघ के सदस्य श्री रविन्द्र नाथ त्रिपाठी एडवोकेट के द्वारा एक आवेदन पत्र माननीय मुख्य न्यायाधिपति के बंगले के हनुमान मंदिर के संबंध प्रेषित किया था जिसके परिपेक्ष में मेरे द्वारा दिनांक 23.12.2024 को एक आवेदन पत्र उक्त पत्र की जॉच हेतु शासन के उच्च पदासीन माननीयों को प्रेषित किया था। उक्त पत्र में शासन पी.डब्लयू.डी. एवं माननीय रजिस्ट्रार महोदय उच्च न्यायालय के द्वारा जबाब प्राप्त हुये, जिससे समाधान कारक स्थिति बनी और मुझे महसूस हुआ कि, मेरे पत्र से भ्रम की स्थिति उत्पन्न हुयी, जिसके लिये मैं अत्यंत दुखी हूँ एवं माननीय मुख्य न्यायाधिपति के प्रति खेद व्यक्त करता हूं एवं उनके प्रति अपना पूर्ण सम्मान व्यक्त करता हूँ। भविष्य में इस संबंध में मेरे द्वारा कोई पुनराव्रति नहीं होगी। मैं अपने पूर्वव्रति आवेदन पत्रों पर कोई कार्यवाही नहीं चाहता हूँ।”

[Translation: On 22.12.2024, an application letter was sent to me by the Association member Shri Ravindra Nath Tripathi Advocate regarding the Hanuman temple in the bungalow of the Honorable Chief Justice, in view of which I have sent an application on 23.12.2024 to sent to high ranking officials of the government to investigate the said letter. On the said, replies were received from the Government PWD and Registrar of the High Court, which brought about a satisfactory situation and I realized that my letter had created confusion, for which I am extremely sad and express regret to the Honorable Chief Justice and I express my full respect to you. There will be no recurrence from me in this regard in future. I do not want any action on my previous applications.]