Calcutta HC Chief Justice orders metal detectors at all West Bengal district courts
Synopsis
Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge has ordered metal detectors at every district court entrance in West Bengal, a direct response to a string of attacks on advocates — including an egg attack that prompted a suo motu case. The directive, which also bans tobacco and pan masala on court premises, signals a significant judicial push to restore security across the state's court ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge of the Calcutta High Court has directed all district judges in West Bengal to install metal detector gates at court entrances at the earliest.
All advocates, court staff, and visitors must mandatorily pass through the detectors before entering premises.
The order follows attacks on advocates, including an assault on former CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya in Jadavpur and an egg attack on advocate Sayan Banerjee in South 24 Parganas .
The Calcutta High Court initiated a suo motu case over the Sayan Banerjee egg attack; the state government has been asked to submit a security action report.
The Chief Justice's letter also calls for a ban on smoking, betel leaves, and pan masala inside court premises; the Bar Council of West Bengal and bar associations are to discuss implementation jointly.
Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge has written to all district judges across West Bengal, directing them to install metal detector gates at the entrances of every district court in the state at the earliest. The directive mandates that all advocates, court staff, and members of the public pass through the detectors before entering court premises.
Why the Order Was Issued
The communication comes amid a spate of reported attacks on advocates at district court premises across the state. Chief Justice Ghuge and Justice Om Narayan Rai had last week expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation within court compounds. The bench had also directed the West Bengal state government to submit a detailed report on the steps taken to address the incidents.
Among the cases that triggered judicial attention was an attack on Senior Advocate and former CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya at his residence in the Purbalok area of Jadavpur in South Kolkata last week. Separately, the Calcutta High Court had initiated a suo motu case following an egg attack on advocate and CPI(M) leader Sayan Banerjee at a district court in South 24 Parganas district.
Scope of the Chief Justice's Directives
Beyond the metal detector mandate, the letter from Chief Justice Ghuge also calls for a ban on smoking and the sale and consumption of smoking items, betel leaves, and pan masala within court premises. A section of advocates has, however, raised a counter-demand for the designation of a separate smoking corner within each court compound.
The Chief Justice has further advised that the Bar Council of West Bengal and concerned bar associations should hold mutual discussions on how his proposals can be practically implemented. Once a joint decision is reached, his office is to be intimated in writing, after which formal written instructions will be issued.
The Court's Stance on Advocate Safety
The Division Bench strongly condemned the egg attack on Banerjee, with Chief Justice Ghuge observing that while a lawyer was targeted on this occasion, similar incidents could affect anyone present in a court compound in the future. He described the episode as unacceptable and underscored that recurrence must be prevented. Notably, this escalation in judicial scrutiny follows what appears to be a pattern of violence in court precincts, marking a significant shift in the High Court's approach to judicial security.
What Happens Next
District courts are expected to report back to the Chief Justice's office after bar associations and the Bar Council deliberate on implementation timelines. The state government's compliance report on advocate safety measures is also awaited before the Calcutta High Court. The outcome of both processes is likely to shape a broader security framework for courts across the state.
Point of View
Taken together with a suo motu case and a demand for a state government report, points to a judiciary that no longer trusts the executive to secure its own precincts. The real accountability question is whether the state government's compliance report will be substantive or procedural, and whether bar associations — some of whose members may be implicated in the very incidents prompting this order — can credibly self-regulate on implementation timelines. A top-down directive without grassroots buy-in risks remaining on paper.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Ghuge ordered metal detectors at district courts?
Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge issued the directive in response to a series of reported attacks on advocates at district court premises across West Bengal. Notable incidents include the egg attack on advocate Sayan Banerjee in South 24 Parganas and an assault on Senior Advocate Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya in Jadavpur, South Kolkata.
Who must pass through the metal detectors under the new order?
The directive mandates that all advocates, court staff, and members of the public visiting courts for any purpose must pass through metal detector gates before entering district court premises anywhere in West Bengal.
What other measures has Chief Justice Ghuge directed in the same letter?
Beyond metal detectors, the letter calls for a ban on smoking and the sale and consumption of smoking items, betel leaves, and pan masala within court premises. The Bar Council of West Bengal and bar associations have been asked to jointly deliberate on how all these measures will be implemented.
What is the suo motu case filed by the Calcutta High Court?
The Calcutta High Court initiated a suo motu case following an egg attack on advocate and CPI(M) leader Sayan Banerjee at a district court in South 24 Parganas. The Division Bench strongly condemned the attack and directed the state government to report on actions taken.
What happens after bar associations discuss the Chief Justice's proposals?
Once the Bar Council of West Bengal and the relevant bar associations reach a joint decision on implementation, they are required to inform the Chief Justice's office in writing. Formal written instructions will then be issued by the High Court to formalise the measures across district courts.
