Calcutta HC alarmed by lawyer strikes in Bankshall, Chandannagar courts
Synopsis
Calcutta High Court's Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge publicly questioned why lawyer strikes are continuing when common people are being harmed — and ordered the Bar Council to report back by 12 October. The backdrop is grimmer: lawyers allegedly attacked with axes and bamboo, a woman lawyer allegedly molested, and a suo motu PIL already filed. West Bengal's courts are facing a security and access crisis.
Key Takeaways
The Calcutta High Court on 7 October expressed alarm over lawyer strikes at Bankshall Court, Kolkata and Chandannagar Sub-district Court, Hooghly .
A bench of Chief Justice Ravindra V.
Ghuge and Justice Om Narayan Rai directed the Bar Council to resolve the strikes and submit a report by 12 October .
The High Court filed a suo motu PIL over the attack on lawyer Sayan Banerjee at Baruipur and ordered notices to all parties.
Lawyer Shamim Ahmed and colleagues were allegedly attacked in Salbani on 3 October with bamboo, axes and sticks; a woman lawyer with the group was allegedly molested.
The court ordered safety measures for lawyers across all courts in West Bengal .
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, 7 October expressed serious concern over ongoing strikes by lawyers at Bankshall Court in Kolkata and Chandannagar Sub-district Court in Hooghly district, West Bengal, warning that the stoppages are directly harming ordinary litigants.
High Court's Directions to the Bar Council
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Om Narayan Rai directed members of the Bar Council of West Bengal to engage with the striking lawyers and work toward a swift resolution. The bench made clear that the strikes cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely given the impact on common citizens seeking justice. Bar Council members are required to submit a report on the situation at both courts by 12 October.
Attacks on Lawyers Trigger Suo Motu PIL
The High Court took suo motu cognisance of an attack on lawyer Sayan Banerjee at Baruipur, filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and ordering notices to all parties involved. During Wednesday's hearing, lawyer Subhankar Nag brought to the court's attention a pattern of assaults on lawyers across the state. He specifically highlighted the vandalism of the car belonging to Calcutta High Court lawyer Shamim Ahmed in Salbani on 3 October.
According to Subhankar Nag, Ahmed and fellow lawyers had visited Benachapara to meet homeless families. On their return, their vehicle was allegedly attacked in front of police personnel using bamboo, axes and sticks. It was further alleged that a woman lawyer accompanying the group was molested. Chief Justice Ghuge confirmed he was aware of the attack, and the lawyers were reportedly rescued only after the Chief Justice's personal intervention.
What Triggered the Bankshall and Chandannagar Strikes
The Bankshall Court strike originated after a group of protesters threw eggs at a YouTuber — who had been arrested for allegedly making derogatory comments on social media about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Suvendu Adhikari, the Chief Minister of West Bengal — while he was being escorted to the court premises. When lawyers present at the court protested, they were allegedly assaulted, prompting a wider work stoppage.
At Chandannagar, lawyers alleged that a tent erected as part of a government service project blocked access to the court complex. Lawyers who went to protest the blockade were allegedly harassed, after which they locked the main gate and suspended work entirely.
Safety Measures Ordered Across West Bengal Courts
Beyond the two specific strikes, the High Court directed authorities to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of lawyers in all courts across West Bengal. The directive signals that the bench views the recent incidents not as isolated events but as part of a broader deterioration in the security environment for legal professionals in the state.
What Happens Next
The Bar Council's report, due on 12 October, will be a critical input for the High Court's next steps. The ongoing PIL in the Baruipur matter is also expected to proceed, with notices pending to all named parties. Whether the strikes at Bankshall and Chandannagar are resolved before the report deadline will likely determine the court's further course of action.
Point of View
A court entrance blocked by a government-linked tent, and egg-pelting at an accused inside court premises. Each incident is individually serious; together they suggest a systemic breakdown in the sanctity of judicial spaces in West Bengal. The Bar Council's report due on 12 October will reveal whether the legal establishment can self-correct — or whether the High Court will need to escalate to contempt and enforcement directions. The suo motu PIL at Baruipur is the sharpest signal yet that the judiciary is no longer willing to treat these as isolated law-and-order matters.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are lawyers on strike at Bankshall Court in Kolkata?
Lawyers at Bankshall Court went on strike after they were allegedly assaulted while protesting an incident in which a YouTuber — arrested for derogatory social media posts — was pelted with eggs by a group as he was being brought to the court. The lawyers' protest against that act was met with violence, triggering the work stoppage.
Why are lawyers on strike at Chandannagar Sub-district Court?
At Chandannagar, lawyers alleged that a tent set up as part of a government service project blocked the road to the court complex. When they went to protest the obstruction, they were allegedly harassed, after which they locked the main gate and halted proceedings.
What action has the Calcutta High Court taken on lawyer attacks in West Bengal?
The High Court has filed a suo motu PIL over the attack on lawyer Sayan Banerjee at Baruipur and ordered notices to all parties. It has also directed authorities to ensure the safety of lawyers across all courts in West Bengal, and asked the Bar Council to submit a report on the Bankshall and Chandannagar strikes by 12 October.
What happened to lawyer Shamim Ahmed in Salbani?
Calcutta High Court lawyer Shamim Ahmed and fellow lawyers were allegedly attacked on 3 October while returning from Benachapara, where they had visited homeless families. Their car was allegedly vandalised with bamboo, axes and sticks in front of police personnel, and a woman lawyer with the group was allegedly molested. The group was reportedly rescued after Chief Justice Ghuge's intervention.
When will the Bar Council submit its report to the Calcutta High Court?
Bar Council members are required to submit their report on the strikes at Bankshall and Chandannagar courts by 12 October, as directed by the division bench of Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Om Narayan Rai.
