justice-gangopadhyay-to-tender-resignation-on-tuesday-says-i-have-completed-my-work-as-a-judge

Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay on Monday said he has completed his work as a judge, as some lawyers and litigants urged him to reconsider his decision to resign as judge of the Calcutta High Court.

 

Justice Gangopadhyay has said he will resign on Tuesday, and thereafter, divulge his future plans.

 

Justice Gangopadhyay also said he has different other things to pursue, as some lawyers and litigants requested him to reconsider his resignation.

Mitali Das, a litigant, pleaded with folded hands, as tears rolled down her cheeks.

 

Das said she came from Bolpur in Birbhum district, which is nearly 180 km from Kolkata, after learning of Justice Gangopadhyay's decision.

 

"I am a poor woman. I got relief from his court as my daughter got much-needed medical aid because of his orders," she later said.

 

Another middle-aged woman was also seen crying, as she asserted that his courtroom was like a temple to her.

 

Some lawyers also appealed to him to continue till his retirement, which is due later this year.

 

On his last day in the courtroom, he released over 60 matters that were part-heard in his bench, and passed one order in which he referred a matter to the chief justice of the high court.

 

Justice Gangopadhyay waved at lawyers and others present there as he left the courtroom.

 

Justice Gangopadhyay, whose rulings on various education-related issues in West Bengal stirred political debates, had on Sunday said he will submit his resignation to the President of India on March 5.

 

He had declined to comment on whether he intends to enter politics, stating that he would address all media queries after submitting his resignation.

 

Justice Gangopadhyay, who practised law at the high court for 24 years, joined the Calcutta High Court as additional judge on May 2, 2018.

 

He was elevated as permanent judge on July 30, 2020, according to data on the high court's website.