A group of lawyers has called upon the Calcutta High Court to take suo motu cognizance of statements attributed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, wherein she purportedly cast aspersions on the integrity of the judiciary. The lawyers, led by Senior Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, urged the Court to initiate action against the Chief Minister for what they deemed as "contemptuous" remarks.
In the wake of the High Court's decision to annul the appointment of approximately 24,000 teachers in the state, Banerjee allegedly made disparaging remarks suggesting that the High Court had been "sold out." Bhattacharya, representing the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)], urged the Bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya to address these remarks promptly.
Expressing concern over the perceived attempts to undermine the judiciary's authority, Bhattacharya emphasized the need for decisive action against such statements, which he claimed were aimed at eroding public trust in the High Court. He implored the Court to take suo motu cognizance of the matter, highlighting the gravity of the Chief Minister's alleged comments.
Bhattacharya underscored the persistent nature of Banerjee's remarks and stressed the urgency of addressing the issue to safeguard the Court's reputation. He pledged to furnish affidavits and media reports documenting the Chief Minister's purported statements, ensuring that the Court had ample evidence to proceed with the matter.
The Court, while considering the lawyers' pleas, sought clarification on the procedural aspects of filing petitions in such cases. Bhattacharya assured the Court of his intent to submit affidavits and requested permission to proceed accordingly.
Subsequently, the Court granted permission for petitions to be filed in the matter and accepted the media reports submitted by Bhattacharya as evidence. It directed that all relevant documents be presented to the Chief Justice for further administrative action.
The controversy surrounding Banerjee's remarks comes in the aftermath of a significant ruling by the High Court, which nullified thousands of appointments made by the West Bengal School Service Commission in 2016. The verdict has sparked legal challenges from the state government, underscoring the broader implications of the ongoing legal battle for the education sector in West Bengal.
Author: Anushka Taraniya
News Writer, MIT ADT University
