Going To Resign As Judge, Would Like To Enter Political Arena: Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay Tells Local News Outlet

In a remarkable development, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the Calcutta High Court has told local news outlet ABP Ananda in an exclusive interview that he plans on resigning from his post as judge on Tuesday, 5th March 2024.

Justice Gangopadhyay in his interview with the Bengali news outlet has thanked the ruling dispensation of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for repeatedly challenging him to enter the political arena. "That journey begins on Tuesday," the judge said.

On his political ambitions, Justice Gangopadhyay stated that he has not made any decisions regarding his political affiliations, or contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, and is open to joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC) or the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM).

“No decisions regarding my candidature for Lok Sabha polls, but I would like to thank the ruling party in West Bengal for challenging me to enter the political field…,” the judge said.

It was further stated that the judge wanted to enter the political arena and work towards the betterment of people at the grassroots level, in furtherance of his work as a judge of the High Court.

Notably, Justice Gangopadhyay was due to retire in the next five months, in August 2024.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, in an interview with ABP Ananda, has stated that Justice Gangopadhyay is welcome to join the Congress party and that all workers of the party would welcome him with open arms and utmost respect.

In light of the announcement, a Trinamool Congress leader on social media has questioned the Judge's decisions on the cash-for-jobs scam, over which Justice Gangopadhyay had exercised determination.

Notably, Justice Gangopadhyay has been mired in controversy throughout his tenure, culminating in his disagreement with a division bench preside over by Justice Soumen Sen, which was taken suo moto cognizance of by the Supreme Court.

Read More: Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay: Calcutta High Court Judge With Penchant For Courting Controversies