In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court has directed the Kolkata Police to identify individuals who allegedly heckled lawyers, including Senior Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, and made derogatory remarks towards Justice Biswajit Basu within the High Court premises. This directive was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice C. Chatterjee (Das) following concerns raised by a group of lawyers regarding the incident.
The incident reportedly stemmed from dissatisfaction among certain litigants with the proceedings before Justice Basu's court, particularly concerning matters related to the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) examinations. These individuals, expressing their discontent, resorted to heckling and making insulting remarks, thereby disrupting the decorum of the court. Chief Justice Sivagnanam emphasized that while litigants have the right to appeal decisions, resorting to protests and disrespectful behavior within court premises is unacceptable.
In response to the incident, the bench issued notices to the Advocate General and Additional Solicitor General, seeking their assistance in the matter. Furthermore, the pleas submitted by the concerned lawyers have been directed to be placed before the Chief Justice on the administrative side for appropriate action.
This incident is not isolated, as the Calcutta High Court has previously dealt with similar disruptions. In January 2023, protests erupted outside Justice Rajasekhar Mantha's courtroom, leading to the initiation of contempt proceedings against the protesting lawyers. The court had then directed the Kolkata Police to identify those responsible for pasting defamatory posters against the judge and disrupting court proceedings.
The High Court's firm stance underscores its commitment to upholding the sanctity and dignity of judicial proceedings. By directing the identification of individuals involved in such misconduct, the court aims to deter future disruptions and maintain the integrity of the judicial process. The involvement of senior legal officials and the administrative actions initiated reflect the seriousness with which the judiciary views such incidents.
In conclusion, the Calcutta High Court's directive serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum within judicial institutions. While litigants have avenues to express grievances through legal channels, any form of disrespect or disruption within court premises is intolerable and will be met with strict action to preserve the rule of law.
0 Comments
Thank you for your response. It will help us to improve in the future.