All proceedings in the Calcutta High Court have been put on hold by the Supreme Court after an unusual clash between a single judge and a division bench. The conflict arose over an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into an alleged scam involving fake caste certificates.
During an emergency session, a five-judge panel led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud addressed the accusations of 'misconduct' made by Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay against fellow judge Soumen Sen. Justice Gangopadhyay accused Justice Sen of favoring a political party in the state and pressuring another judge to support a political leader in West Bengal. The Supreme Court has summoned responses from the CBI and the West Bengal government on this matter.
Earlier in the week, Justice Gangopadhyay ordered a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in the admission process of MBBS candidates in state-run medical institutions in West Bengal. He asserted that corruption related to certificates for reserved category candidates needed thorough investigation. However, the state government, led by the Trinamool Congress, challenged this decision before Justice Sen's division bench, which temporarily halted the single bench's order. Despite this, Justice Gangopadhyay insisted on continuing the CBI probe.
In his directive, Justice Gangopadhyay accused Justice Sen of acting in favor of a political party and shielding their interests. He claimed that Justice Sen's actions amounted to misconduct and urged the Supreme Court to reconsider the matters involving the state.
The controversy stems from a petition filed on January 24 in the Calcutta High Court, raising concerns about the widespread use of fake caste certificates in West Bengal. The petitioner alleged that many individuals had acquired these certificates to gain admission to medical colleges. Initially, the case was under Justice Gangopadhyay's jurisdiction, who not only criticized the state government and police but also ordered a CBI inquiry into the matter.
SC Halts Calcutta High Court Proceedings in Medical Admissions Case
