Calcutta High Court Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay’s Resignation
Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a sitting judge at the Calcutta High Court, is poised to tender his resignation on Tuesday, raising speculation about a potential political shift towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Widely recognized for his impactful judgments, particularly in the realm of education-related issues in the state, Justice Gangopadhyay’s decision to step down coincides with heightened anticipation of him being fielded as a candidate by the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
This announcement comes on the heels of Justice Gangopadhyay’s declaration on Sunday, wherein he communicated his intent to dispatch a resignation letter to key figures, including President Droupadi Murmu, Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. On his last day as a judge, he acknowledged the fulfillment of his judicial duties, hinting at a possible transition into a different realm of public service. The political landscape in West Bengal is likely to be influenced by this development, with keen attention on the unfolding events surrounding Justice Gangopadhyay’s resignation and potential entry into active politics.
Leading up to his anticipated resignation, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay had previously indicated his willingness to address inquiries regarding his decision to step down and any potential affiliation with a political party. The revelation was scheduled to unfold on Tuesday.
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On the eve of his departure from the judiciary, specifically on Monday, Justice Gangopadhyay marked his last day in the courtroom by asserting the completion of his responsibilities as a judge. During the course of that day, he efficiently concluded over 60 matters that were previously part-heard on his bench. Additionally, he issued an order referring a specific matter to the Chief Justice of the High Court.
The looming speculation surrounding his potential political entry has triggered reactions from the Trinamool Congress and Congress, expressing concerns that his prior judicial decisions might face scrutiny if he aligns with a political party. In response, Justice Gangopadhyay has counteracted these concerns, challenging those who question him by asserting that they lack legal understanding and encouraging them to file a case if they believe his actions warrant legal scrutiny. This exchange adds a layer of legal and political complexity to the unfolding developments surrounding Justice Gangopadhyay’s resignation and its potential political implications.
Reflecting on Justice Gangopadhyay’s decision to resign, Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, voiced his perspective to reporters on Monday, asserting, “If sitting judges of the High Court and Supreme Court resign and join a particular political party, it means they were not delivering justice, but working for the party.”
With an extensive legal career spanning 24 years at the Calcutta High Court, Justice Gangopadhyay transitioned to the court as an additional judge in May 2018, eventually being appointed as a permanent judge on July 30, 2020. In a pre-resignation statement to the media, he expressed his sentiments, stating, “For the past couple of years, I was dealing with some matters in which huge corruption has been unearthed. I feel like my duty as a judge is now over. This is a call of my conscience that now I should go to the people.”
Highlighting his desire to address issues beyond the courtroom, he added, “In our country and in West Bengal, there are a large number of people who cannot come to court. Only politicians can do something to help them. I want to work for those people now.”
Justice Gangopadhyay gained prominence for initiating multiple investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into cases related to the West Bengal teachers’ recruitment scam. He issued directives for FIR filings, midnight interrogations, and criticized the sluggish pace of the probe, urging authorities to apprehend the “real culprits.” His bold actions led to the arrest of high-profile political figures, including three Trinamool Congress MLAs and over a dozen government officials implicated in the scam.
Additionally, he annulled over 4,000 illegally made appointments, prompting the state government to disclose manipulated candidate marks from 2014 to 2020. This detailed account underscores the multifaceted impact of Justice Gangopadhyay’s tenure and the circumstances surrounding his resignation.
About Abhijit Gangopadhyay…
Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, formerly associated with the Calcutta High Court, rose to prominence due to his impactful decisions on education-related issues in West Bengal. After practicing law at the Calcutta High Court for 24 years, he joined the court as an additional judge in May 2018 and was later elevated to a permanent judge on July 30, 2020.
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His noteworthy actions include ordering investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the West Bengal teachers’ recruitment scam. Justice Gangopadhyay’s directives for FIR filings and midnight interrogations, even involving ministers and education board chairpersons, demonstrated a commitment to uncovering corruption.
He criticized the slow pace of the probe, urging authorities to apprehend the “real culprits.” His bold decisions led to the arrest of several high-profile political figures, including three Trinamool Congress MLAs and numerous government officials implicated in the recruitment scam.
Notably, Justice Gangopadhyay annulled over 4,000 illegally made appointments, compelling the state government to disclose manipulated candidate marks from 2014 to 2020. His dedication to justice and efforts to address corruption have made him a notable figure in the legal and political landscape of West Bengal.
