Calcutta HC summons Kunal Ghosh in contempt of court case

Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh has been served a notice by the Calcutta High Court in a contempt of court case involving allegations of defaming a judge and harassing lawyers. The court has directed Ghosh to appear before a special three-judge bench on June 16 at 12:30 pm and submit a written explanation.

The contempt proceedings stem from a case involving Justice Biswajit Basu and lawyers Vikas Ranjan Bhattacharya and Firdous Shamim. According to the court, Ghosh and seven others failed to submit the required response to earlier directives. The High Court, expressing displeasure, issued a “rule” against all accused and asked why they should not face punishment, including imprisonment.

The case originated after job aspirants allegedly showed shoes and used objectionable language against junior lawyers and a sitting judge during a protest regarding delayed court proceedings in a recruitment-related case. The Chief Justice of the High Court took suo motu cognizance after lawyers raised the issue, referring it to a special bench.

Legal experts say that under the contempt of court law, failure to provide a satisfactory explanation may result in jail time. A recent similar case saw a lawyer sentenced to four days in jail, signalling the court’s strict stance on such matters.