What Protocol Guidelines Were Issued for the Chief Justice of India’s Visit to Maharashtra?

Mumbai, May 20 (NationPress) The Maharashtra government has announced protocol guidelines to maintain official decorum during the Chief Justice of India's visit to Mumbai and surrounding regions.

In accordance with the Maharashtra State Guest Rules, 2004, dignitaries recognized as state guests receive reception and farewell arrangements at airports organized by the State Protocol Subdivision. At the district level, the District Collector’s office ensures similar arrangements through appointed protocol officers.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has been officially designated as a Permanent State Guest in Maharashtra. Therefore, the Chief Justice is entitled to all protocol-related facilities as per the State Guest Rules, 2004, which include accommodation, vehicle arrangements, and security during visits across the state.

During the Chief Justice’s visit to Mumbai, the Chief Secretary or a senior representative, the Director General of Police or a senior representative, and for visits to other districts, the respective District Collector and Commissioner/Superintendent of Police or their senior representatives are instructed to welcome the dignitary.

As per a circular from the General Administration Department dated March 7, 2022, the department responsible for the dignitary’s visit must designate a liaison officer to assist with coordination and reception.

Consequently, during visits to Mumbai, the Law and Judiciary Department of Maharashtra will designate a Group-A level gazetted liaison officer. For visits to other districts, the relevant district courts, in coordination with the District Collector, will appoint such officers.

The General Administration Department has mandated all relevant authorities to strictly follow these guidelines.

The state government opted to issue these protocol guidelines after the newly appointed Chief Justice of India, Bhushan Gavai, expressed his dissatisfaction on Sunday regarding the absence of senior Maharashtra government officials, including the Chief Secretary, at his first public event in the state following his oath as head of the Judiciary.

“It’s a matter of respect from the other branches of the institution towards the judiciary. If the Chief Justice of India visits Maharashtra for the first time and the state’s Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, and the Mumbai Police Commissioner find it inappropriate to attend, they need to reconsider their stance. Protocol is not new; it signifies respect between constitutional institutions,” he said.

CJI Gavai emphasized, “When the head of a constitutional institution visits the state for the first time, the nature of the reception must be carefully considered… These might appear as minor matters, but their significance must be understood.”

The three pillars of democracy—the judiciary, the legislature, and the executive—are equally vital, and each constitutional organ must reciprocate and show respect to the others, he added.

“If any of us were in such a situation, discussions regarding Article 142 might arise,” he stated, eliciting light-hearted applause from the audience.

Article 142 of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to issue any necessary orders to ensure complete justice in any pending case or matter.

Following the CJI’s remarks, the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, and the Mumbai Police Commissioner offered their apologies and were present during the former’s visit to Chaityabhoomi.