Calcutta HC Bar association responds to CJ plea, to attend ceremony
Times of India | 5 April 2025
Kolkata: Following a plea by Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court TS Sivagnanam to the three lawyers' bodies to attend Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma's swearing-in ceremony, the Bar Association and Incorporated Law Society on Friday agreed to retract the boycott. But the Bar Library Club refused to attend.
The transfer of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma from Delhi High Court to Calcutta High Court fuelled protests among the three wings of the Calcutta HC Bar, who opposed the transfer, alleging "serious complaints" against him during his tenure at the national capital.
Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam on Thursday wrote to all three wings of the Bar and urged them to remain "united to make our institution proud." He wrote: "Our High Court is the oldest premier Chartered High Court and has always welcomed Hon'ble judges from other high courts, who in their turn became our very own and have carried forward the legacy of this institution. In this regard, I am proud to say that the Bar Association has made me a special member. What more do I want?"
In response to the CJ's letter, a general body meeting was conducted by the Bar Association. Its secretary, Sankar Prasad Dalapati, told TOI, "We have decided to retract the boycott since CJ requested. First, let him (the judge) come here; if we find any discrepancy, we will take it from there." Prior to the meeting, the association president had written a letter stating that the letter to boycott the swearing-in was issued "without his knowledge." He stated that he personally felt that the letter was against the "high cultural values and ethos of Bengal."
The Incorporated Law Society of Calcutta also withdrew the boycott but stated that its council members/office bearers would not be part of the oath. Justice Sharma bid farewell to the Delhi High Court Bar Association. He expressed his fortune at being appointed to the Calcutta HC.