Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay ‘to resign on Tuesday’

Kolkata, March 3

Calcutta High Court judge Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, whose rulings on various education-related issues in the state stirred political debates, said he would resign on Tuesday.

The judge said he has decided to step into a “larger sphere” of activities. “If I join any political party and if they nominate me, I will surely consider that decision,” Justice Gangopadhyay said.

“I will resign from the post of Justice of Calcutta High Court on Tuesday,” he told reporters outside his residence here on Sunday.

Justice Gangopadhyay, who is due for retirement later this year, said he would submit his resignation to the President in the first hour on Tuesday, with copies sent to the Chief Justice of India and the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court.

He has issued several directives instructing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to probe allegations of irregularities in the recruitment processes of teaching and non-teaching staff in West Bengal Government-sponsored and -aided schools.

Justice Gangopadhyay, known for his swift directives, occasionally mandating compliance within hours, has garnered appreciation from diverse segments of society, particularly aspiring candidates for school jobs.

However, his remarks in specific cases have also stirred dissatisfaction among certain leaders of the ruling party in the state.

Following a tussle between his single Bench and a Division Bench of the High Court over instituting a CBI probe in an alleged scam in issuing caste certificates to candidates aspiring for reserved category MBBS seats in West Bengal, the Supreme Court had in January intervened and transferred to itself all petitions related to the matter. — Agencies