Calcutta HC takes suo motu action after lawyers face protest over delay in judicial appointments

The Calcutta High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of alleged harassment faced by lawyers Vikas Ranjan Bhattacharya and Firdaus Shamim during a protest inside the court premises. A special three-judge bench comprising Justice Arijit Banerjee, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya, and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj has been constituted to hear the matter. The protest reportedly centered around the delay in hearings and decisions related to the issue of additional judicial posts.

On the previous Friday, Bhattacharya and Shamim were targeted by a section of protesting lawyers within the High Court premises. Slogans were allegedly raised against them as well as against sitting judges, questioning the delay in adjudication of matters concerning additional posts. Reports indicate that lawyers Sudipta Dasgupta and Vikram Banerjee were also allegedly surrounded during the protest. There were further claims that bottles were thrown or attempted to be thrown, along with verbal abuse and physical intimidation directed at the lawyers.

The High Court, in response, registered a case on its own motion and listed the matter before the specially formed bench. The issue now includes allegations of misconduct within court premises, public questioning of judicial delays, and concerns over physical safety of legal professionals inside a constitutional institution.