'Who are judges with BJP?': Calcutta HC asks Abhishek Banerjee
What's the story
The Calcutta High Court has asked All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) MP Abhishek Banerjee to list judges who are allegedly affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The court's observation came while hearing Banerjee's petition against his security downgrade from Z+ to X category after a government change in West Bengal. Justice Krishna Rao asked, "Who are the judges with the BJP?... Let your client give the list of those who belong to the BJP and those to the AITC."
Allegations made
BJP allegedly exerted pressure on judiciary in case: Banerjee
Banerjee had alleged that the BJP put pressure on the judiciary in his case.
He claimed that his petition was only "partly heard" and was later taken up as item 16 in a vacation bench, with Justice Rao hearing till item 15 before rising for recess.
Additional Advocate General Billwadal Bhattacharya submitted a video clip of Banerjee's statements and read excerpts from the transcript in court.
Contempt claims
'Judiciary playing mute spectators,' Banerjee had said
Banerjee's remarks implied that "a part of the judiciary is playing the role of mute spectators," and he was ready to face jail for speaking the truth.
Bhattacharya argued these comments amounted to criminal contempt, saying they cast aspersions on the judge and emphasized that "the court cannot be taken for a ride."
Senior advocate Shoeb Alam, representing Banerjee in his security petition, contended these remarks had no connection with the case at hand.
Criticism voiced
BJP, MAITC react to Abhishek's statement
BJP spokesperson Priyanka Tibrewal also slammed Banerjee's remarks as "very shameful," saying he has lost his senses after his party lost power.
She added, "The law takes its own course, and no one is above it."
The Mamata All India Trinamool Congress (MAITC) acknowledged concerns about judicial delays but refrained from commenting on specific remarks made by Banerjee.
MAITC leader Baiswanor Chatterjee said some citizens are disturbed with a section of the judiciary for various reasons.