calcutta-hc-cancels-judicial-officers-leaves-after-sc-sir-order

In an unprecedented move, the Calcutta High Court has cancelled all leave of judicial officers across several ranks following a recent directive from the Supreme Court.

 

The decision, announced through a notification issued by the High Court Registrar on Tuesday, applies to officers serving as Civil Judge (Senior Division), Chief Judicial Magistrate, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Civil Judge (Junior Division), and Judicial Magistrate.

 

Last Friday, the Supreme Court directed that a judicial officer be appointed to examine alleged logical discrepancies in the hearing of the state’s SIR case. The Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court was tasked with making the appointment.

 

Subsequently, a high-level meeting was held on Saturday involving the Chief Justice, members of the Commission, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer, the Chief Secretary, and the Additional Solicitor General. Following this meeting, the High Court implemented the decision to cancel leave.

 

According to the directive, no judicial officer will be permitted to take leave until further orders. The order also covers judges on deputation. Station leave has been prohibited, and leave will be granted only in cases of urgent medical necessity with special permission.

 

 

Judges currently on leave have been instructed to report back to their respective courts and offices by Wednesday afternoon. All other forms of leave, including those previously approved, stand cancelled except for medical grounds.

 

In addition to the cancellation of leave, the High Court has suspended all training programmes for the time being, except for the training of probationary officers. Training sessions scheduled at the West Bengal Judicial Academy over the next 15 days have also been put on hold until further notice.

 

Permissions earlier granted to judicial officers for participating in training or seminars outside the state have likewise been withdrawn.

 

The sweeping measures underline the High Court’s effort to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive and ensure expeditious handling of the matter under review.