Lawyers' agitation in Calcutta High Court enters 3rd week

While all the judges sat in the morning, no lawyer appeared to plead for any case called for hearing.

The corridors of the high court as also the court rooms remained almost vacant with neither the advocates nor the litigants coming.

The judges rose to retire to their chambers after no lawyer appeared to plead for the petitions called for argument.

The lawyers associations decided to extend the ceasework alleging lackadaisical attitude by the Union Law Ministry in meeting their demands.

While the High Court Bar Association and Incorporate Law Society extended their ceasework till March 16, the Bar Library Club decided to continue the strike till March 13.At present there are 30 sitting judges at the high court, while the sanctioned strength is 72. Out of this, two judges preside over the Circuit Bench at Andaman and Nicobar Islands on rotation.

All the three associations representing lawyers at the Calcutta High Court had decided to go for a ceasework from February 19.

The associations, which have extended the ceasework twice, have claimed that the Union Law Ministry has not responded to their joint representation to meet the Law Minister to discuss the issue.

Bar Association president Uttam Majumdar said lack of any response despite the over two week-long ceasework at one of the premier high courts in the country displays the ministry's "lackadaisical attitude and high-handedness".

The lawyers' bodies said despite the Supreme Court having cleared the name of Acting Chief Justice J Bhattacharya for appointment as Chief Justice nearly two months back, there has been no action in this regard on the part of the central government.