Calcutta High Court Holds Full-Court Obituary Reference In Memory Of Justice Tarun Chatterjee

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday observed a full-court reference to remember the legacy of (Late) Justice Tarun Chatterjee, who sadly passed away on the 7^th of July 2023, at the age of 78.

Born to former Calcutta High Court Judge, Justice Purshottam Chatterjee in January 1945, Justice Tarun Chatterjee enrolled as an Advocate in 1970 at Calcutta and practiced in the High Court in Civil, Criminal and Revenue cases. He was appointed as a permanent Judge in the Calcutta High Court on August 6, 1990 and as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court on January 31, 2003. Justice Chatterjee was elevated as a Supreme Court Judge on 27th August, 2004 and demitted office on 14th January, 2010. Post retirement, Justice Chatterjee was appointed as the Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh State Human Rights Commission in October 2013.

The reference was presided over by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, who remembered the life and legacy of Justice Chatterjee, and expressed his condolences to the members of the Court and the bereaved family. He said:

Justice Chatterjee has been remembered for his legal acumen, and excellent court craft…While adorning the benches of the High Courts and the Supreme Court, Justice Chatterjee had delivered several landmark judgements which were reported by many journals then, stand testimony of his erudition and high learning. Justice Chatterjee stood recognised by both judges and members of the Bar from his time, as a gentleman with unfailing courtesies. I understand that junior members of the Bar were showered by his encouragement.

He was an example as an ideal lawyer and judge. His lordship was firm in his decision-making process, yet soft and courteous behaviour with one and all. Memories of him remain etched in the hearts of all who had the opportunity to be in this Court at that time. He ensured ease for the parties appearing before him, and addressed their queries with patience. I am informed that Justice Chatterjee was kind and considerate to his officers, colleagues and personal staff.

The good qualities of his mind and heart, as well as his contribution to law and justice would always be remembered. Justice Chatterjee was not only kind, popular, and respected as a lawyer and judge, but he was very close to his family and found time to spend with them. He was very fond of football and cricket. Till his last breath, he was a member of the Mohun Bagan Club, one of India’s oldest football clubs.

On behalf of [all of us] at Calcutta High Court, I place on record my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family, and wish them strength to bear this irreparable loss. May God bestow peace to the departed soul.

Further addresses of condolence were delivered by the Advocate General, the Deputy Solicitor General, Vice-President of the Bar Library, President of the Bar Association, and the President of the Incorporated Law Society, who remembered Justice Chatterjee’s indomitable work ethic, and his easy-going nature with colleagues and juniors.