Abhijit Gangopadhyay: Who is Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay? Why did he resign as Calcutta HC Judge? What’s the controversy surrounding him?

Calcutta high court judge, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, has declared his decision to step down from his position, preceding his retirement later this year. Renowned for his adjudications on education-related matters, Justice Gangopadhyay revealed to a TV channel his intention to delve into politics.

“I am going to resign from the post of a judge in High Court Calcutta. For the last two or more years I have been dealing with some matters, especially education matters, regarding which a huge corruption has been discovered and unearthed. A large number of important persons in the education sector of this government are now languishing in jail, under trial,” he told ANI.

“Thereafter, now I am taking labour matters. There are also large scams of employers concerning provident fund gratuity, etc. I have also passed certain orders in those respects. But what I have failed while doing these matters of labour matters, labour legislation, that I have felt that my job in this duty is over. This is the call of my conscience,” Justice Gangopadhyay said.

Justice Gangopadhyay additionally mentioned that he has various other matters to pursue, as certain lawyers and litigants have urged him to rethink his resignation.

Who is Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay?

A high court judge since 2018, Justice Gangopadhyay is known for his rulings which triggered controversies. Here are five things you need to know about him.

➤ Early Life: According to reports, Justice Gangopadhyay was born in Kolkata in 1962. He attended Mitra Institution, a Bengali medium school in south Kolkata.

➤ Career: After completing his graduation from Hazra Law College in Kolkata, Justice Gangopadhyay initiated his career in Uttar Dinajpur district, wherein he worked as a West Bengal Civil Service Grade A officer. He later quit as a civil service and began practising as a state lawyer in the Calcutta high court.

➤ Judicial Journey: Justice Gangopadhyay was elevated to the post of additional judge in 2018 and became a permanent judge two years later.

What’s the controversy surrounding Justice Gangopadhyay?

➤ Controversies: As a high court judge, Justice Gangopadhyay sparked a major controversy last April by giving an interview to a TV channel. The then judge was hearing a case related to the ‘school jobs for cash scam’. In an interview to a TV channel, he spoke on the alleged role of TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in the matter, Bar and Bench reported. The Supreme Court while taking strong objection, had said that “sitting judges had no business giving interviews to TV channels”.

➤ Initiatives: Justice Gangopadhyay has issued several directives instructing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to probe allegations of irregularities in the recruitment processes of teaching and non-teaching staff in West Bengal government-sponsored and -aided schools.

Is Justice Gangopadhyay joining politics?

However, Justice Gangopadhyay didn’t reveal any specific reason behind resigning, there are speculations that he may join politics and join BJP. Commenting on his retirement he said he has different other things to pursue, as some lawyers and litigants requested him to reconsider his resignation.