Trinamool lawyers protest outside courtroom of Calcutta High Court's Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay; Governor writes to CM

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday saw protests by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) legal wing, ANI reported..Lawyers from the party sought to bar advocates from entering the courtroom of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay in light of his recent order directing a probe by the Central Bureau of Agency (CBI) into the (School Service Commission) SSC corruption case..The Secretary of the Calcutta High Court Bar Association told ANI that in a recently held meeting, the Association passed a resolution to boycott the judge, considering his unprecedented actions in publicly questioning the judicial decisions of the appeal court, which was against judicial decorum, decency, judicial disciple and propriety.In fact, it was reported that the general body meeting of the Bar Association held on Tuesday was dissolved by the President due to high levels of commotion..In an order dated March 30, the single-judge took strong exception to an order passed by a Division Bench of the High Court allowing a party in the SSC case to submit a document in a sealed cover, consequently 'tying' the hands of the single-judge.Justice Gangopadhyay had termed this order as “a highest degree of double standard”.."Highest degree of double standard:" Single-judge of Calcutta High Court objects to sealed cover indulgence by Division Bench.In view of the "disturbing, unprecedented and worrisome scenario" in the precincts of the High Court, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar wrote to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging for an interaction during the day. In his letter, the Governor also mentioned the recent spate of heinous crimes against women.."You would agree that in a system governed by Constitution and rule of law, denial of access to justice and obstruction in the functioning of Courts sounds death knell of democracyGovernor's letter.Speaking on the chain of events, Advocate Phiroze Edulji told Bar & Bench that the conduct of the lawyers was completely against the dictates of the Supreme Court."You cannot obstruct justice and speedy access to justice which is available to every litigant under Article 14 and 21. It has been held time and again by the Supreme Court that there is no freedom of speech available to lawyers who want to strike."He said that lawyers could not sit outside court and prevent a litigant or lawyer from entering the courtroom for their matter."The commotion that took place today was deplorable. I am not taking sides, but it just cannot be done."He further said that as per the Supreme Court, no bar association could force the Chief Justice to change the roster under any circumstances. "It clearly amounts to contempt of court," he underscored. .[Read the Governor's Letter]