Singur case: Judge refuses to gag media

Kolkata, July 19: The Calcutta High Court today (Jul 19) witnessed moments of high drama during hearing in Singur case with Tata Motors' counsel refusing to depose over the alleged "personal attack" by a West Bengal government lawyer and the judge turning down Advocate General's plea to order a media gag on the day's proceedings.

At the start of the hearing this morning, Tata Motors' counsel Samaraditya Pal alleged that Kalyan Bandopadhyay, the counsel for the West Bengal government, had made personal attacks against him on a TV channel last night.

Pal told the court that he was mentally disturbed and was not in a position to depose as he could not prepare himself and also felt like quitting the case.

Justice Saumitra Pal said that he was also embarrassed with the episode. Bandopadhyay was not present in the court. After the court re-assembled in the afternoon, Justice Pal called both Advocate General Anindya and Pal and spoke to them in private.

Mitra then requested Justice Pal to order mediapersons present in the courtroom not to publicise the allegations and counter-allegations, which the judge refused to do. Justice Saumitra Pal told the Advocate General that the media was just carrying out its duty.

The hearing will continue on Wednesday, Jul 20. The High Court is hearing the Tata Motors' writ petition challenging the Singur Land Development and Rehabilitation Act 2011.

PTI