Justice Saugata Bhattacharya of the Calcutta High Court on Friday, 25 September 2026, recused himself from further hearing the case involving absconding stone-quarry owner Tulu Mondal, alias Mohammad Nazibuddin, of Birbhum district, West Bengal. The matter will now be placed before Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge, who will decide which bench it is reassigned to.

Background of the Recusal

Mondal's petition before the court sought interim protection from coercive police action, including arrest under a warrant issued by a Birbhum district court. Justice Bhattacharya had already dismissed that petition earlier this week, delivering a final order on the plea for protection. Having passed the final order, he held that it was no longer appropriate for him to continue hearing the matter — the reason cited for the recusal on Friday.

Separately, Mondal had moved a parallel plea before Justice Kaushik Chanda seeking quashing of the First Information Report (FIR) registered against him. Justice Chanda declined to hear the plea, noting that proceedings in the same matter were already pending before Justice Bhattacharya's bench. The case was subsequently referred back to Justice Bhattacharya — only for him to recuse when it came up for hearing.

Scale of the Alleged Fraud

Police have already confiscated assets worth ₹220 crore belonging to Mondal, though investigating officers believe this may represent only a fraction of his total holdings. According to investigators, evidence has been gathered about approximately 400 bighas — roughly 125 acres — of land allegedly owned directly or indirectly by Mondal.

Notably, investigators have also gathered specific information about the alleged use of fake duplicate carbon copies by stone-quarry owners to evade crores of rupees in state taxes, reportedly during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. Several state government officials, who allegedly acted as partners in this tax-evasion scheme, are also under the scanner, according to sources.

International Dimensions

Beyond the domestic arrest warrant, an Interpol Red Corner Notice has been issued against Mondal, signalling that authorities believe he may have fled the country or is evading arrest across jurisdictions. The notice significantly widens the net for investigators and makes it harder for Mondal to remain undetected internationally.

What Happens Next

The case will be placed before the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, who will assign it to a fresh bench. The reassignment process could take a few days. Meanwhile, police continue to pursue leads on the remaining assets and the identities of alleged official accomplices. The outcome of the bench reassignment will determine the timeline for any fresh hearing on the FIR-quashing petition.