High Court Criticizes West Bengal for Lack of Representation in Court

The Calcutta High Court has raised concerns over the absence of West Bengal government lawyers in legally sensitive cases, particularly when not politically charged. Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam highlighted the inconvenience caused due to the absence and questioned the state's policy on case assignments to lawyers. The issue will be revisited on September 26.

Serious concerns have been raised by the Calcutta High Court regarding the absence of West Bengal government lawyers in cases before it, especially those not deemed politically sensitive.

Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam, addressing a PIL on tiger attack victims in the Sunderbans, expressed his disappointment over the absence of state representation despite prior instructions. He stated that unless a case is politically sensitive, government counsels seldom attend timely. The Chief Justice criticized the state's process of allocating cases to lawyers as 'very saddening' and inconvenient.

The division bench, which includes Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, lamented that an earlier order passed on May 9 was ignored, and no state counsel appeared. Advocate Mohammed Ghalib, representing the state, apologized and promised to relay the issue to the government pleader's office for corrective action. The matter is scheduled for a follow-up hearing on September 26.

(With inputs from agencies.)