‘He is partial’: Bar members urge Calcutta Chief Justice to relieve judge

The letter signed by Bar Association members read: “It is the consenting opinion of all members bar that we only have our staunch adherence to principles of natural justice, directed by your guidance as the sole available means to combat it. In its perfect world, words aren’t necessary for the times when the partiality of authority is understood to be apparent. Let this representation record our humble request for your lordship to relieve Justice Rajshekhar Mantha from his current determination and liberate him from his current responsibilities.”

Earlier in the day, several lawyers allegedly affiliated with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) gathered outside Justice Mantha’s courtroom and prevented him from continuing with the proceedings.

According to sources, the lawyers prevented anyone from entering court hall 13, which is presided over by Justice Mantha. The proceedings of the court had to be stalled. The protest started around 10:25 am and continued past noon. There were reports of a scuffle too. Posters against Justice Mantha also came up near his residence in Jodhpur Park in Kolkata.

It is to be noted that Justice Mantha on December 8 last year passed an order staying over 26 FIRs lodged against BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, and directed the state government to take the permission of the court before lodging any FIR against him in the future. Earlier, Justice Mantha had removed protection granted to Maneka Gambhir, the sister-in-law of TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in a money laundering case.

Speaking with The Indian Express, Deputy Solicitor General Billwadal Bhattacharya said he brought up the matter to the knowledge of the Chief Justice. “So far, determination pertaining to the roster of cases are concerned, that is exclusively in the domain of Chief Justice. I think no one should have a say in this. I feel any form of interference is nothing but sheer criminal contempt affecting the course of justice,” Bhattacharya said.

“It is happening rampantly. This cannot be tolerated,” he added.

“Many of the lawyers carrying out the illegal protest are state-empanelled lawyers. Thereafter, a meeting between the bench and the stakeholders of the Bar Association and additional solicitor general and advocate general took place where a request was made to ensure that the protest is immediately withdrawn,” Bhattacharya added.