This is a work of fiction. Although it may appear closer to reality than fiction for some.

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Hon’ble Ex-CJI
Chief Justice of India's Bungalow
New Delhi

Lordship, 

I write this with the approval – and, indeed, at the instance – of the Competent Authority.

After reading a report in The Hindu yesterday about the problems you have had in finding private accommodation since your retirement, the Competent Authority summoned the inner-inner core group to for consultation.

I am permitted to put on record that all-round there was considerable anguish at the collective failure to take care of your needs. “We are becoming complacent in looking after our people. We used to be good at this sort of thing. After all, we have come so far partly because of conscious strategy of taking care of all those who have helped advance our agenda,” noted one participant.

This was endorsed by another. “This was one lesson we absorbed from the Emergency and Janata party period. The Morarji Desai arrangement totally failed to do justice to Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha, who so bravely and imaginatively unseated Indira Gandhi on a small technical matter. It is our understanding that some friends in Nagpur were keen to field him – instead of N. Sanjeeva Reddy – for the post of Rashtrapati. The Nagpur argument was that if in 1967 we could inveigle a sitting CJI to become our presidential candidate, it would have been a very legitimate gesture and would have made a powerful statement against authoritarianism."

At this point, the Competent Authority intervened to remind everybody that one of the operating principles of the Gujarat Model is that “those who are politically useful, whether tactically or strategically, should never be allowed to feel abandoned; even when we are not in a position to accommodate, we must keep the hope of 'accommodation' alive.” 

That point was echoed by another participant. “Saheb, we are all aware of this principle. We appreciate how Amit bhai was never abandoned, even when he had to go to jail. We also took care of all those who helped get him out of jail. Trust is a very essential ingredient in stabilising a leadership.”

The Competent Authority interrupted this reverie: “But why should a former CJI find it difficult to get a house in New Delhi? Has he started wearing a skull-cap that no one wants to give him a house on rent? And, why should the Hindu Samaj be so ungrateful as not to help him find suitable accommodation! Sometime I wonder if all these exhortations about a Hindu Raj are taken as just slogans for the sake of elections. Are we destined to remain uncaring and callous about Hindu values?”

At this point, an urban affairs ministry official (who had been waiting outside) was called in. He was asked to explain why petty babus were harassing a friendly former chief justice to vacate 5, Krishna Menon Marg. The official meekly pointed out that “it has been one of the most hallowed traditions of the higher judiciary that all CJIs have taken considerable pride in vacating the official residence the very day they demit office. These judges tend to have enormous egos and some even self-respect, and no one wants to be in a position to be told that he was overstaying in a sarkari ghar.  Every man who gets sworn in as CJI knows when he would retire and the date when he would need to vacate the Krishna Menon Marg bungalow. And, all of them, till now, had made appropriate arrangements keeping in view their family’s special needs and personal preferences."

Taken aback at this bald recitation of cold facts, the official was told to mind his tone and sent out with a flea in his ear. The inner-inner core group was unfazed; a former CJI who has been so helpful cannot be left to his own devices to deal with a housing problem. The ministry was to be told to cease and desist. The consensus was, “We must believe him when he says he is not going to stay endlessly at the Krishna Menon Marg.” It was also decided to suggest it gently to the ex-Chief that there are friends who can help in finding a house for him anywhere in India.

All these were oral observations and it was decided that no record of this confabulation be kept. This is just for your information, Lordship. 

Respectfully,
A.B.C
Nirman Bhavan

Atmanirbhar is the pen-name of an aspiring satirist, who irregularly contributes a column, From the Vishwaguru Archives, and believes that ridicule and humour are central to freedom to speech and expression.

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