Bhopal: Former Madhya Pradesh (MP) High Court judge Rohit Arya has joined the ruling BJP on Saturday, in the central Indian state, almost three months after his retirement.

According to media reports, Arya joined the BJP at the state party headquarters in Bhopal and  in charge of the state party headquarters Dr. Raghvendra Sharma, welcomed the retired judge into the party. Arya later addressed a seminar on the three new criminal laws, which was also attended by the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla.

During his tenure as a judge of the Indore Bench of the MP High Court, Justice Arya made headlines for his rulings. In July 2020, he granted bail to a man accused of outraging a woman’s modesty under the condition that the accused get a Rakhi tied by the alleged victim on Raksha Bandhan. This decision was later overturned by the Supreme Court, which issued directives on handling bail petitions in cases related to crimes against women.

In January 2021, Justice Arya denied bail to stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui and co-accused Nalin Yadav, who were accused of hurting religious sentiments and violating COVID-19 protocols during a comedy show in Indore. His bench emphasized the duty of citizens to promote harmony and brotherhood, and the state's role in preserving composite culture. The Supreme Court later granted bail to Faruqui, overturning Arya’s decision.

Justice Rohit Arya retired as a judge of the MP High Court in April 2024. Appointed in September 2013, he became a Permanent Judge in March 2015 after an extensive legal career that began when he enrolled as an advocate in August 1984. Arya was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Madhya Pradesh High Court in August 2003 and handled cases in civil law, commercial law, arbitration, administrative law, service and labor law, and tax law, representing various entities including the Central Government, State Bank of India, Telecom Department, BSNL, Employees' State Insurance Corporation, and the Income Tax Department.

Following his entry into the BJP, Justice Arya addressed a seminar on the three new criminal laws alongside Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, underscoring his continued engagement in legal and policy discussions. His transition from the judiciary to politics marks a significant shift in his career trajectory, bringing his legal expertise and experience to the forefront of political discourse in MP.