CJI Gogoi refused to accept any hospitality of protocol support from State Government for today’s visit to Kamakhya Temple

Guwahati: Following the bitter experience at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati during Durga Puja on October 17 this year, Chief Justice of India and son of Assam Ranjan Gogoi visited the temple today with his own security arrangements.

The CJI seemed unhappy with the state government’s security arrangements during his last visit.

CJI Gogoi had refused to accept any hospitality of protocol support from the State Government for today’s visit to Kamakhya Temple.

CJI’s travel to Guwahati and Kamakhya Darshan had been coordinated by the union home ministry with only central armed forces/army deputed for his protocol and security arrangement during his short stay at Guwahati.

According to earlier reports and visuals, CJI Gogoi who appeared to the temple with his family had an unpleasant time when he went to offer his prayers at the revered Kamakhya temple along with his family.

It was also reported that CJI’s visit coincided with that of BJP national president Amit Shah. He was en route to Aizwal to kick-start the party’s campaign for the upcoming assembly elections.

BJP President Shah came to offer prayer in the temple accompanied by CM Sonowal, state BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Due to Amit Shah’s visit, hundreds of BJP supporters had also thronged the temple, thereby creating chaos in the temple vicinity.

Temple goers, along with Gogoi, had also complained of a harrowing time in the temple.

Also, the Deputy Commissioner of police (Guwahati West) Bhanwar Lal Meena has been placed under suspension under rule 3 (1) of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969 earlier on October 20.

As per an official letter, ” The Governor of Assam is of the opinion that there was a lapse of adequate security arrangements for the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India at Kamakhya Temple on 17/10/2018 and taking serious note of the above, pending Departmental Proceeding the services on Shri Bhanwar Lal Meena, IPS (RR-2013), Deputy Commissioner of Police (West), Guwahati Police Commissionerate is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect,” stated a notification issued the Governor of Assam.

Similarly, additional deputy commissioner of Kamrup (Metro) has also been reportedly suspended after a video of him allegedly “ridiculing” the Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi here a day back has surfaced in media and social media.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had initiated the probe against the ADC Pulak Mahanta after he was allegedly caught on a video footage for not providing proper respect to the CJI during his visit in the Guwahati city.