Bhopal, Dec 31:The Madhya Pradesh High Court has refuted allegations that an ancient temple was demolished at the official residence of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, calling the claims “entirely false, misleading, and baseless.”
High Court Registrar General Dharminder Singh issued a statement on Sunday addressing the controversy, which arose after High Court Bar Association president DK Jain accused authorities of demolishing a Lord Hanuman temple without following due procedure. Singh categorically dismissed the allegations, stating, “The reports alleging the removal of a Mandir (Lord Hanuman Mandir) from the Hon’ble Chief Justice’s bungalow are entirely false, misleading, and baseless.”
The registrar general further noted that the Public Works Department (PWD) had clarified no temple ever existed at the Chief Justice’s residence.
In its response, the High Court criticized the media for disseminating what it described as fabricated reports. “The allegations being circulated in some sections of the media are fabricated and appear to be a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and malign the integrity of the judicial system,” Singh said.
The judiciary warned that such unverified news could interfere with the administration of justice, potentially amounting to contempt of court. “Such unfounded news constitutes direct interference in the administration of justice and may be regarded as contemptuous in nature,” the statement added.
Bar Association president DK Jain stood by his claims, calling for an investigation into the matter. “I am ready to accept the harshest punishment if I am proven wrong,” he said. Jain’s allegations prompted sharp rebuttals from the High Court, which reiterated its commitment to upholding judicial independence and fairness.
The High Court’s statement highlighted the broader implications of the controversy. “Attempts to create false narratives about the judiciary undermine the rule of law and pose a serious threat to the sanctity of judicial independence,” it said.
The court urged media organizations and the public to refrain from spreading defamatory and unverified information, emphasizing its dedication to delivering justice impartially.
