On Monday, the Calcutta High Court declined to take suo motu cognizance of an 'urgent motion' seeking the initiation of contempt of court proceedings against Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee for remarks that could impact the 'majesty of the judiciary.' The Bench, consisting of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, stated that it could not take suo motu cognizance of the motion presented by Senior Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya. Instead, the Bench advised the lawyer to either file a petition or raise the matter before a larger bench that is already handling contempt proceedings against individuals who had put up objectionable posters targeting Justice Rajasekhar Mantha.
Bhattacharya sought an urgent hearing and argued, "One person (Banerjee) who engaged in 'postering' against milord Justice Mantha is now on record, claiming that the High Court is giving protection to antisocial elements. He has directly blamed this Court for the killings (during the poll violence). This is an urgent motion as the utterances are affecting the majesty of the institution."
Additionally, Bhattacharya mentioned that he would not have filed the motion if a nationally renowned professor and former Advocate General of the state had not "requested" him to highlight the issue. He further contended, "I can say that mafia leaders cannot shake the confidence of common people against the High Court. Therefore, this Court must take suo motu cognizance of these scathing and scandalous remarks. This will shake the conscience of the Court."
In response, the Bench requested Bhattacharya to file a petition. However, he expressed reluctance, stating, "Milords, for filing a petition, we have to come through the Advocate General. We don't want to come through the AG. Thus, this request for taking suo motu cognizance."
Nonetheless, the Bench declined the request and advised the advocate to approach the bench handling the contempt proceedings related to the poster incident.
TAGS: Calcutta High Court suo motu cognizance urgent motion contempt of court proceedings Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee remarks impact majesty of the judiciary Bench Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya Senior Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya petition larger bench objectionable posters Justice Rajasekhar Mantha killings poll violence Advocate General mafia leaders scathing and scandalous remarks institution.
