Former Madhya Pradesh High Court Judge RohitAryaJoins BJP

Retired Judge Embraces Political Role After Controversial Rulings

Former Madhya Pradesh High Court judge Justice RohitArya has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the ruling political party in India. The announcement was made on Saturday, just three months after Arya 's retirement from the judiciary.

Arya was welcomed into the BJP by the party's state unit chief, Dr. Raghavendra Sharma , during a program held in Bhopal. The former judge confirmed his decision to join the party, stating that his "thinking aligns with the philosophy of the BJP, a party that believes in human values."

Judicial Career and Controversial Rulings

Justice Arya was appointed to the Madhya Pradesh High Court on September 12, 2013, and became a permanent judge on March 26, 2015. During his tenure, he presided over several high-profile cases that garnered significant attention.

One notable case involved comedians Munawar Faruqui and Nalin Yadav , who were denied bail by Arya in 2021 after being accused of hurting religious sentiments and violating COVID-19 protocols during a New Year event in Indore. In his ruling, Arya emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony and the spirit of brotherhood, stating that the state must work to prevent the "pollution of societal coexistence by negative forces."

The Supreme Court later intervened and granted bail to Faruqui, overturning the high court's order.

In another controversial decision in 2020, Arya granted bail to a man accused of outraging the modesty of a woman on the condition that he present himself to the complainant on Raksha Bandhan so she could tie a "rakhi" on his wrist, symbolizing a brother-sister relationship. This decision was met with significant criticism and was subsequently overturned by the Supreme Court, which issued directives for lower courts on handling bail petitions in cases related to crimes against women.

Arya 's Perspective on Joining the BJP

In an interview with Live Law, Arya clarified that he has no intention of pursuing electoral politics or running for office. He stated, "Politics is not my cup of tea. I have no interest in electoral politics and don't intend to fight elections. I just want to be in public life. The BJP, as a party, will help me convert my ideas for the people into reality. I will give them many suggestions."

Arya 's decision to join the BJP has raised questions about the relationship between the judiciary and the political sphere, particularly in light of his controversial rulings during his time on the bench. As he transitions into a new role, it remains to be seen how his political affiliation will impact his future involvement in public life.