Abhijit Gangopadhyay Explained

Abhijit Gangopadhyay
Office:Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Term Start:4 June 2024
Constituency:Tamluk
Predecessor:Dibyendu Adhikari
Office1:Judge of the Calcutta High Court
Term Start1:30 July 2020
Term End1:5 March 2024
Office2:Additional Judge at Calcutta High Court
Term Start2:May 2018
Term End2:July 2020
Alma Mater:Hazra Law College
Birth Date:20 August 1962
Birth Place:Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Nationality:Indian
Party:Bharatiya Janata Party[1]

Abhijit Gangopadhyay (born 20 August 1962) is an Indian politician and former judge of the Calcutta High Court.[2] [3] [4]

Early life and education

Gangopadhyay was born to Late Gobindo Ganguly and Late Shovana Ganguly in 1962.[5] He did his schooling at Mitra Institution (Main) in Kolkata,[6] [7] and passed out from the school in 1979.[8] He studied law at Hazra Law College.[9]

During college life, Gangopadhyay acted in Bengali theatre. He was a member of a theatre group "Amitra Chanda". In 1986, he last acted in a play.[10]

Legal career

Gangopadhyay started his career as a West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) officer.[11] He was posted at North Dinajpur.[12] Thereafter, he left the job and practised as a State Advocate in the Calcutta High Court before the elevation in the bench. He joined in the High Court as an additional judge on 2 May 2018.[13] He became a permanent judge on 30 July 2020.[14] Gangopadhyay resigned from his post on 5 March 2024.[15] [16]

Notable judgements

Since November 2021, Justice Gangopadhyay gave a series of directions of inquiry to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) for the alleged anomalies in recruitment process.[17] [18] He passed a number of orders against the officials of the School Service Commission, which lead to some political issues in West Bengal as well as Calcutta High Court.[19] [20] Gangopadhyay wrote a letter seeking intervention of the Chief Justice of India regarding the action of Division Bench in the cases of alleged irregularities of School Service Commission.[21] [22] [23] [24]

On 13 April 2022 the Bar Association, Calcutta High Court brought out a resolution to boycott the Court of Gangopadhyay.[25] Trinamool Congress law cell protested outside his courtroom[26] and the then Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar wrote letter to the Chief Minister of West Bengal on this issue.[27] [28] On 18 May Gangopadhyay directed former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee to appear before the CBI for the investigation of alleged teachers recruitment scam.[29] [30] On 17 May 2022, in another case he asked Paresh Chandra Adhikary, Minister of State for Department of School Education to be present before CBI over his connection in alleged illegal appointment of his daughter Ankita Adhikary.[31] [32] He also urged the Chief Minister and Hon'ble Governor to remove Adhikary from the post of minister.[33]

In September 2022, Justice Gangopadhyay instructed West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) to replace illegally appointed school teachers with eligible waiting list candidates.[34] In July 2023, he instructed West Bengal School Service Commission to publish illegally appointed 907 school teachers of XI-XII.

In December 2023, the Calcutta High Court Bar Association boycotted Mr. Gangopadhyay after he ordered the arrest of a lawyer in his courtroom for contempt. Although the order was later withdrawn, the association demanded that all judicial work be withdrawn from Mr. Gangopadhyay until he apologised to the advocate and the bar. After staying away from court for two days, Mr. Gangopadhyay addressed the bar association members with apologises and then the boycott was lifted by lawyers.[35] [36] This marked the first instance in Calcutta High Court where a sitting judge had to apologise to bar association members and lawyers.

Political career

Gangopadhyay resigned his judicial position on 5 March 2024[37] and started his political journey within 2 days as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.[38] He officially joined on 7 March 2024 into the party by BJP leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar[39] ahead of the 2024 Indian general election. He was subsequently contested for the Lok Sabha Election 2024 from Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency[40] and became the Member of Parliament.[41]

Controversy

On 15 May 2024 during the campaign of Lok Sabha Election Gangopadhyay made derogatory remarks against Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal[42] and the Election Commission of India censured him and imposed a campaigning bar on him for 24 hours due to the alleged low-level personal attack.[43] [44] [45]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Former Calcutta HC Judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay Joins BJP . www.news18.com. 7 March 2024 .
  2. Web site: Calcutta High Court Department of Justice . He is a Member of Parliament from Tamluk Loksabha Constituency.. 2022-04-20 . en-US . 2022-05-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527005036/https://doj.gov.in/calcutta-high-court/ . live .
  3. Web site: Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay Resigns, To Join BJP . 2024-03-05 . NDTV.com.
  4. Web site: 2024-06-04 . Tamluk, West Bengal Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 Highlights: Abhijit Gangopadhyay Emerges Victorious . 2024-06-04 . India Today . en.
  5. Web site: 2024-03-04 . Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay: বিবাহিত অভিজিৎ গঙ্গোপাধ্যায়, কোথায় থাকেন স্ত্রী? বিচারপতি সম্পর্কে অজানা তথ্য চমকে দেবে . 2024-04-12 . banglahunt.com . bn.
  6. News: 'বিকাশ রঞ্জন ভট্টাচার্যের মতো মানুষের কাছে আইনচর্চা করেছি, আমাকে ঠকানো মুশকিল' . 21 September 2022 . bengali.abplive.com . 21 September 2022 . bn . 21 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220921101601/https://bengali.abplive.com/district/ghantakhanek-sange-suman-honourable-justice-of-kolkata-high-court-abhijit-gangopadhyay-comments-on-life-921834 . live .
  7. News: Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay: At one time SSC was the law officer of 'WBCS' Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, corruption cannot be tolerated at all … West Bengal calchat high court justice abhijit gangapadhyay started career as wbcs officer IG News . 19 September 2022 . 2 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202145614/https://irshadgul.com/justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-at-one-time-ssc-was-the-law-officer-of-wbcs-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-corruption-cannot-be-tolerated-at-all-west-bengal-calchat-high-court-justice-abhijit-ga/ . live .
  8. News: বাংলা মিডিয়াম স্কুল, ছোটবেলায় পিতৃবিয়োগ, স্ট্রাগল পেরিয়ে আইনচর্চা, এবিপি আনন্দে মন-খোলা বিচারপতি . 21 September 2022 . bengali.abplive.com . 20 September 2022 . bn . 21 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220921100413/https://bengali.abplive.com/news/aaj-focus-e/abhijit-gangopadhyay-opens-up-on-his-struggle-at-early-age-abp-ananda-exclusive-ghantakhanek-sange-suman-921684 . live .
  9. News: HC judge who ordered CBI probe into several cases says he wants to be remembered for some judgements . 19 September 2022 . ThePrint . 19 September 2022 . 20 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172325/https://theprint.in/india/hc-judge-who-ordered-cbi-probe-into-several-cases-says-he-wants-to-be-remembered-for-some-judgements/1135049/ . live .
  10. News: রায় . রিচা . Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay . 19 September 2022 . anandabazar.com . bn . 20 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173016/https://www.anandabazar.com/lifestyle/justice-abhijit-gangopadhyays-daily-life-routine-dgtl/cid/1354651 . live .
  11. Web site: আনন্দ . ওয়েব ডেস্ক, এবিপি . 2022-05-21 . WBCS অফিসার হিসেবে শুরু, তারপর কীভাবে এগিয়েছে বিচারপতির কেরিয়ার . 2022-05-23 . bengali.abplive.com . bn . 2023-02-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202145614/https://bengali.abplive.com/district/calcutta-hc-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-started-career-as-wbcs-know-his-career-graph-890649 . live .
  12. News: WBCS অফিসার থেকে হাইকোর্টের বিচারপতি, জীবনের লড়াইয়ে কীভাবে উঠে এলেন বিচারপতি গঙ্গোপাধ্যায় . 21 September 2022 . TV9 Bangla . 21 May 2022 . bn . 21 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220921102203/https://tv9bangla.com/kolkata/west-bengal-calcutta-high-court-justice-abhijit-gangapadhyay-started-career-as-wbcs-officer-au14-567968.html . live .
  13. Web site: 2020-07-15 . SC Collegium Proposes To Appoint Additional Judge Of Calcutta HC, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, As Permanent [Read Resolution] ]. 2022-04-20 . www.livelaw.in . en.
  14. Web site: Calcutta High Court – Judges . 2022-04-13 . www.calcuttahighcourt.gov.in.
  15. Web site: 2024-03-03 . Resigning to join politics, TMC taunts behind my decision: Calcutta HC judge . 2024-03-04 . The Indian Express . en.
  16. News: 3 March 2024 . Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay to resign on March 5 . India Today . en.
  17. Web site: 2022-04-15 . Explained: What is the West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment scam? . 2022-04-15 . The Indian Express . en.
  18. News: Singh . Shiv Sahay . 2022-04-04 . West Bengal SSC recruitment scam roils Calcutta HC . en-IN . The Hindu . 2022-04-20 . 0971-751X.
  19. Web site: 2022-04-18 . Kolkata High Court: নজিরবিহীন! হাইকোর্টে প্রথমবার, বিচারপতির সমর্থনে পড়ল পোস্টার . 2022-04-20 . Zee24Ghanta.com . bn . 2022-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220420051001/https://zeenews.india.com/bengali/kolkata/kolkata-high-court-justice-abhijit-ganguly-poster_428843.html . live .
  20. Web site: Calcutta High Court stays CBI probe in School Service Commission hiring case . 2022-04-20 . www.telegraphindia.com . 2022-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220420051432/https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/news/calcutta-high-court-stays-cbi-probe-in-school-service-commission-hiring-case/cid/1858649 . live .
  21. Anupam Mishra Suryagni Roy . 13 April 2022 . TMC members protest in front of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay room in Calcutta HC . 2022-04-20 . India Today . en . 2022-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220420050511/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tmc-protest-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-calcutta-hc-1936952-2022-04-13 . live .
  22. Web site: 31 March 2022 . Abhijit Gangopadhyay: 'highest Degree Of Double Standard' . 2022-04-20 . The Times of India . en . 2022-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220420050748/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/highest-degree-of-double-standard/articleshow/90553029.cms . live .
  23. Web site: Abhijeet Ganguly: মাথায় বন্দুক ঠেকিয়েও আমাকে রোখা যাবে না, বললেন বিচারপতি অভিজিৎ গঙ্গোপাধ্যায় . 2022-04-20 . www.anandabazar.com . bn . 2022-04-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220415140237/https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/i-will-raise-voice-against-corruption-says-calcutta-high-court-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-dgtl/cid/1338630 . live .
  24. Rittick Mondal . 30 March 2022 . Tying hands of single judge: Calcutta HC's Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay seeks CJI's intervention . 2022-04-20 . India Today . en . 2022-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220420050515/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tying-hands-of-single-judge-calcutta-hc-s-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-seeks-cji-s-intervention-1931638-2022-03-30 . live .
  25. Web site: 14 April 2022 . gangopadhyay: Judge Boycott Call Spurs Ruckus In Courtroom . 2022-04-20 . The Times of India . en . 2022-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220420051536/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/judge-boycott-call-spurs-ruckus-in-courtroom/articleshow/90831281.cms . live .
  26. Web site: West Bengal: Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay calls meeting to end chaos in Calcutta HC . 2022-04-20 . Free Press Journal . en . 2022-04-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220419122304/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/west-bengal-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-calls-meeting-to-end-chaos-in-calcutta-hc . live .
  27. Web site: Suryam . Shagun . Trinamool lawyers protest outside courtroom of Calcutta High Court's Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay; Governor writes to CM . 2022-04-15 . Bar and Bench . 13 April 2022 . en . 2023-02-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202145614/https://www.barandbench.com/news/calcutta-high-court-protests-outside-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyays-courtroom . live .
  28. Web site: Lawyers protest in Calcutta HC; Dhankhar seeks meeting with CM Mamata . 2022-04-20 . The New Indian Express . 14 April 2022 . 2022-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220420051742/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/apr/14/lawyers-protest-in-calcutta-hc-dhankhar-seeks-meeting-with-cm-mamata-2441970.html . live .
  29. Web site: 2022-05-18 . Teachers recruitment 'scam': TMC minister Partha Chatterjee appears before CBI after failing to get relief from HC . 2022-05-19 . The Indian Express . en . 2022-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220519050623/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-ssc-recruitment-scam-cbi-probe-7923488/ . live .
  30. News: Singh . Shiv Sahay . 2022-05-18 . West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee appears before CBI in recruitment scam . en-IN . The Hindu . 2022-05-19 . 0971-751X.
  31. Web site: Teacher Recruitment Scam: Bengal minister Paresh Adhikari 'disappears' with daughter after CBI summons . 2022-05-19 . Free Press Journal . en . 2022-05-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220518170714/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/teacher-recruitment-scam-bengal-minister-paresh-adhikari-disappears-with-daughter-after-cbi-summons . live .
  32. Web site: 2022-05-19 . EXCLUSIVE Meet Petitioner Who Allegedly Lost Teaching Job to Minister's Daughter Due to 'West Bengal Recruitment Scam' . 2022-05-20 . News18 . en . 2022-05-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220520065958/https://www.news18.com/news/education-career/exclusive-meet-job-aspirant-whose-plea-unearthed-wb-recruitment-scam-put-ministers-from-mamata-govt-under-cbi-radar-5204953.html . live .
  33. Web site: 2022-05-18 . Calcutta HC directs CBI to question MoS School Education 'over appointment of daughter' . 2022-05-19 . The Indian Express . en . 2022-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220519052529/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/teachers-recruitment-row-calcutta-hc-orders-cbi-probe-asks-minister-to-appear-before-agency-ssc-7922154/ . live .
  34. News: Replace illegally appointed teachers with waiting list candidates: Calcutta HC to WBSSC . 21 September 2022 . The Siasat Daily . 21 September 2022 . 21 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220921120213/https://www.siasat.com/replace-illegally-appointed-teachers-with-waiting-list-candidates-calcutta-hc-to-wbssc-2417580/ . live .
  35. Web site: From Courts To Votes: Abhijit Gangopadhyay And His Many Controversies . 2024-05-18 . NDTV.com.
  36. Web site: judge apologised to lawyers in calcutta - Google Search . 2024-05-18 . www.google.com.
  37. Web site: 2024-03-03 . Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Ganguly to resign, may enter politics: Sources . 2024-05-18 . India Today . en.
  38. Web site: 2024-03-05 . 'Will join BJP…party will decide if I will contest (Lok Sabha polls) or not': Former Calcutta HC judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay . 2024-03-05 . The Indian Express . en.
  39. Web site: Bureau . ABP News . 2024-03-07 . Former Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay Joins BJP . 2024-03-07 . news.abplive.com . en.
  40. Web site: সংবাদদাতা . আনন্দবাজার অনলাইন . সব পরিকল্পনা ঠিক মতো এগোলে তমলুক লোকসভা থেকে বিজেপির টিকিটেই প্রার্থী বিচারপতি গঙ্গোপাধ্যায় . 2024-03-04 . www.anandabazar.com . bn.
  41. Web site: 2024-06-04 . Tamluk, West Bengal Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 Highlights: Abhijit Gangopadhyay Emerges Victorious . 2024-06-05 . India Today . en.
  42. Web site: NETWORK . LIVELAW NEWS . 2024-05-21 . 'Brought Disrepute To West Bengal' : ECI Censures Ex-HC Judge & BJP Candidate For 'Low-Level Attack' Against Mamta Banerjee . 2024-05-22 . www.livelaw.in . en.
  43. News: Bureau . The Hindu . 2024-05-21 . Election Commission censures former judge-turned-BJP candidate, bars campaign for 24 hours . 2024-05-22 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  44. Web site: 2024-05-21 . EC bars Gangopadhyay from campaign for 24 hrs over his remarks on Mamata . 2024-05-22 . The Indian Express . en.
  45. News: May 22 . ET BureauLast Updated . 2024-05-22 . BJP leader Abhijit Gangopadhyay can't campaign for 24 hours, says EC . 2024-05-22 . The Economic Times . 0013-0389.

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