Ex-Madhya Pradesh High Court Judge Rohit Arya joins BJP

Former Madhya Pradesh High Court Judge Rohit Arya has recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking his entry into politics nearly three months post his retirement. The event took place in Bhopal, where Dr. Raghavendra Sharma, the state unit chief of BJP, formally inducted him into the party.

Judicial career and controversies

Appointed as a judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 2013 and later becoming a permanent judge in 2015, Justice Arya handled several high-profile cases during his tenure. One notable case involved denying bail to comedians Munawar Faruqui and Nalin Yadav in 2021. They were accused of allegedly hurting religious sentiments and violating Covid-19 protocols during a performance in Indore. In his ruling, Justice Arya stressed the importance of maintaining harmony and brotherhood in society, asserting the state's duty to safeguard these principles.

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In another controversial case in 2020, Justice Arya granted bail to a man accused of outraging a woman's modesty. The bail was conditional on the accused meeting the complainant on Raksha Bandhan to symbolically foster a brother-sister relationship by accepting a rakhi from her. This decision sparked widespread criticism and was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court, which issued guidelines for lower courts on handling bail applications in cases related to crimes against women.

Legal and Judicial background

Born on April 28, 1962, Justice Arya began his legal career as an advocate in 1984 and achieved senior advocate status in 2003. He specialized in diverse areas of law including civil, corporate, arbitration, administrative, service, labor, and tax laws. Throughout his career, he represented various prestigious entities such as the central government, State Bank of India, Telecom Department, BSNL, Employees State Insurance Corporation, and the Income Tax Department.

Joining the BJP post-retirement indicates Justice Arya's shift from the judiciary to active political engagement. His move may signal his intent to contribute to political discourse and governance beyond the courtroom. As he enters this new phase of his career, his decisions as a judge continue to provoke discussions on judicial ethics and the intersection of law and societal expectations.