Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay Resigns, To Join Politics

Calcutta High Court Judge Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, known for his rulings on education-related issues, has announced his resignation to enter politics. He will submit his resignation to the President of India on Tuesday.

In a significant development, Calcutta High Court judge Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, known for his influential rulings on education-related matters in West Bengal, has announced his decision to resign from his post on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Justice Gangopadhyay's tenure has been marked by controversial judgments and directives that have sparked political debates and garnered both appreciation and criticism.

Resignation Announcement

Justice Gangopadhyay made the announcement of his resignation to reporters outside his residence in Kolkata on Sunday, March 5, 2023. He confirmed that he will submit his resignation to the President of India on Tuesday morning, with copies sent to the Chief Justice of India and the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court. The judge, who is due to retire later this year, declined to comment on whether he intends to enter politics, stating that he will address media inquiries after submitting his resignation.

Political Ambitions

In a recent interview with ABP news channel, Justice Gangopadhyay hinted at his intention to join politics. While he refrained from disclosing which party he might align with, he confirmed his decision to enter the political arena. This revelation has added another dimension to his resignation and has fueled speculations about his future political affiliations.

Landmark Directives

Justice Gangopadhyay gained prominence for his swift and decisive directives, often mandating compliance within hours. He issued several directives instructing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate alleged irregularities in the recruitment processes of teaching and non-teaching staff in West Bengal government-sponsored and -aided schools. His interventions were widely appreciated by aspiring candidates for school jobs, but they also drew criticism from certain leaders of the ruling party in the state.

Controversies and Challenges

Justice Gangopadhyay's tenure was not without its controversies. A notable instance was a tussle between his single bench and a division bench of the high court over instituting a CBI probe into an alleged scam in issuing caste certificates to candidates aspiring for reserved category MBBS seats in West Bengal. The Supreme Court intervened in January 2023 and transferred all petitions related to the matter to itself, effectively overriding Justice Gangopadhyay's directives.

Reactions and Speculations

The news of Justice Gangopadhyay's resignation has elicited varied reactions from political leaders and legal experts. Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, suggested that it would be prudent to wait for the judge to announce his future plans. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh expressed his support for Justice Gangopadhyay's decision to join politics but raised questions about his previous orders and observations that were critical of the ruling party. Senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, who has a close association with Justice Gangopadhyay, opined that it would be beneficial if the judge joins politics as an independent and works to combat corruption.

Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay's resignation from the Calcutta High Court marks the end of a chapter in the state's judicial history. His tenure was characterized by bold decisions, controversies, and a strong commitment to addressing irregularities in the education sector. As he embarks on a new journey, it remains to be seen how his political aspirations will shape the future of West Bengal's political landscape.