Why Did the Calcutta High Court Serve Notice to TMC Leader Kunal Ghosh in Contempt Case?

Synopsis
In a significant legal development, Kunal Ghosh, the Trinamool Congress state general secretary, finds himself facing a contempt of court notice from the Calcutta High Court. This action stems from alleged harassment of advocates and derogatory comments made during a protest, raising serious questions about legal accountability and judicial respect.
Key Takeaways
- Kunal Ghosh faces a contempt notice from the Calcutta High Court.
- The notice stems from alleged harassment of advocates.
- The court has mandated Ghosh's presence on June 16.
- Failure to comply may result in imprisonment.
- The case underscores the necessity of judicial respect.
Kolkata, June 7 (NationPress) Trinamool Congress state general secretary Kunal Ghosh has received a show cause notice from the Calcutta High Court related to a contempt of court case.
The notice was issued due to allegations of harassment towards advocates and for making inappropriate remarks about a judge during a protest against senior advocate and CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya in front of his chamber near the Calcutta High Court premises in April.
A special three-judge bench, consisting of Justice Arijit Banerjee, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj, issued the contempt rule against Ghosh and six others for failing to submit affidavits within the required timeframe.
According to the notice from the Calcutta High Court, served through the Narkeldanga Police Station, Ghosh is required to appear before the three-judge special division bench at noon on June 16 and provide justification for why punitive measures, including possible imprisonment, should not be taken against him for contempt of court.
Legal experts have indicated that if Ghosh's initial explanation does not satisfy the court, he may be issued another notice for a new explanation.
Furthermore, if he fails to respond or does not appear in court, the court may consider ordering his imprisonment.
Recently, the Calcutta High Court sentenced an advocate to four days in prison for making defamatory comments about a judge.
In April, a group of candidates for upper-primary teaching posts protested outside Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya's chamber, expressing dissatisfaction with his legal arguments that often led to job cancellations in West Bengal. During these protests, derogatory remarks were also directed at Justice Biswajit Basu due to his negative comments regarding the alleged school job scam.
The Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, T.S. Sivagnanam, has taken notice of this situation, instructing Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma to investigate and identify the protesters. The Calcutta High Court has also initiated a suo motu contempt-of-court case.