Former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after resigning from his judicial role, has became the first High Court judge in India to give up his position to enter into the field of politics.
Shortly after stepping down, he expressed his admiration for the Hindu nationalist party and praised PM Modi.
“I had very little time to decide. I approached BJP, and BJP approached me over the last seven days,” Gangopadhyay explained, responding to criticisms about the timing of his resignation.
An analysis on Live Law’s legal website highlighted potential implications on the adjudicatory process, suggesting pre-resignation contact between the judge and the political party. It read: “Justice Gangopadhyay’s comments on him approaching the BJP, and the BJP approaching him may be seen as a clear indication by the former judge, that representatives of the political party were in contact with him before the date of his resignation, thereby raising concerns on the sanctity of the adjudicatory process, with the benefits of political mileage looming large.”
Trinamool Congress leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, alleged that the judge had connections with the BJP during his tenure, impacting his judicial decisions.
“He was in touch with BJP while hearing cases. BJP Babu was passing one order after another under instructions from BJP and justice was crying in a corner. People of Bengal realize very well what sort of judgements were passed by him,” said Trinamool Congress chairperson and Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
“I may not be allowed to question a judge but I can always question a judgment. ‘BJP Babu’ cancelled so many appointments. He could have told us to review the employments but instead he summarily took the jobs of so many youths while BJP raised a hue and cry,” Banerjee said.
 after resigning from his judicial role, has became the first High Court judge in India to give up his position to enter into the field of politics.){kind=link}