A group of lawyers on Thursday requested the Calcutta High Court to take suo motu cognisance of remarks made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee against the High Court, terming it “sold out”.
The alleged remarks were made by the Chief Minister following the High Court’s recent order to quash the appointment of around 24,000 teachers in the school jobs-for-cash case.
Appearing before the Bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya, Senior Advocate and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya urged the High Court to strict action against the Chief Minister for her disparaging remarks.
The Senior Counsel said that he would file a criminal contempt petition against the Trinamool Congress leader after seeking permission from the Advocate General, which would not be granted at any point of time.
The lawyer said that he could file an affidavit showing the statements, but it was important for the High Court to take cognisance of this matter. Otherwise, every court will laugh at the Calcutta High Court
He said the lawyers argued cases before the High Court after burning the midnight oil. Now somebody was accusing the entire High Court, including its judges, of being sold out.
He added that such statements have been made persistently by Chief Minister Banerjee to belittle the High Court in the eyes of the public.
Bhattacharya further said that he would submit the translations of the media reports on the matter.
The Bench asked whether a petition could be filed on the matter. Bhattacharya assured that he would submit an affidavit with the reports on the Chief Minister’s remarks.
Another lawyer present in Court added that he was preparing a petition. The High Court said that this petition could also be filed.
On April 22, a Division Bench of the High Court had cancelled about 24,000 appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff made in 2016 by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC).
While holding the recruitment invalid, the High Court had ordered the 24,000 candidates to return the salaries they received after being “illegally” recruited.
The West Bengal government challenged this verdict before the Supreme Court, which was yet to hear the case.