Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty appointed Acting CJ of Calcutta HC
Synopsis
With Chief Justice Sujoy Paul retiring on 20 June 2026, the Centre has moved swiftly under Article 223 to appoint Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty as Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court — a constitutional bridge appointment that keeps one of India's oldest courts fully functional while the Collegium works on a permanent successor.
Key Takeaways
The Centre notified the appointment of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty as Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court on 19 June 2026 .
The appointment is effective from 20 June 2026 , the date of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul's retirement upon superannuation.
The notification was issued under Article 223 of the Constitution by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice .
Justice Chakraborty was enrolled as an advocate on 29 January 1991 and elevated as Additional Judge on 30 October 2013 , confirmed permanent on 14 March 2016 .
A permanent Chief Justice will be appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium ; no timeline has been announced.
The Centre on Friday, 19 June 2026, issued a formal notification appointing Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty as the Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, effective upon the retirement of incumbent Chief Justice Sujoy Paul on 20 June 2026. The appointment was made under Article 223 of the Constitution of India by the President of India, through a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.
The Notification and Constitutional Basis
The official notification stated: 'In exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, Judge of the Calcutta High Court, to perform the duties of office of the Chief Justice of that High Court consequent upon retirement of Shri Justice Sujoy Paul on 20.06.2026.'
Article 223 empowers the President to designate a sitting judge of a High Court to discharge the duties of the Chief Justice when the post falls vacant or when the incumbent Chief Justice is unable to perform those functions. The notification was issued a day before Chief Justice Paul demits office upon attaining the age of superannuation.
Profile of Justice Chakraborty
Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty was born on 27 November 1966 into a family with deep roots in the legal profession. He was enrolled as an advocate on 29 January 1991 and practised before the Calcutta High Court for over two decades, specialising in civil and constitutional matters, particularly those relating to service and education laws.
He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Calcutta High Court on 30 October 2013 and was confirmed as a permanent judge on 14 March 2016. His decade-long tenure on the bench has been marked by expertise in constitutional law.
Transition at the Calcutta High Court
The appointment ensures continuity of judicial administration at one of India's oldest and most significant High Courts. Chief Justice Sujoy Paul's retirement on 20 June 2026 marks the end of his tenure at the Calcutta High Court, and Justice Chakraborty will hold the acting charge until a regular Chief Justice is appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium.
This is a standard constitutional mechanism — acting appointments of this nature typically bridge the gap between a Chief Justice's retirement and the formal elevation or transfer of a permanent successor. The Calcutta High Court, established in 1862, is among the oldest High Courts in the country and handles a significant volume of constitutional and civil litigation.
What Happens Next
The Supreme Court Collegium is expected to recommend a permanent Chief Justice for the Calcutta High Court in due course. Until that appointment is formalised and accepted by the President, Justice Chakraborty will discharge all duties of the office. The timeline for a permanent appointment has not been officially indicated.
Point of View
But they carry a practical weight that is often underappreciated. The Calcutta High Court — one of the country's oldest and most burdened benches — cannot afford an administrative vacuum, and the Centre's same-day notification ahead of Justice Paul's retirement reflects that urgency. The more consequential question is how long Justice Chakraborty will hold acting charge: Collegium recommendations for Chief Justice postings have, in recent years, taken weeks to months, leaving courts in prolonged transitional states. The bench's institutional continuity ultimately depends on how swiftly the permanent appointment follows.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty been appointed Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court?
Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty has been appointed Acting Chief Justice because incumbent Chief Justice Sujoy Paul is retiring on 20 June 2026 upon attaining the age of superannuation. The Centre invoked Article 223 of the Constitution to ensure continuity of judicial administration at the Calcutta High Court.
What is Article 223 of the Constitution of India?
Article 223 empowers the President of India to appoint a judge of a High Court to perform the duties of Chief Justice when the post falls vacant or when the Chief Justice is unable to discharge those functions. It is the standard constitutional provision used for acting Chief Justice appointments across High Courts.
Who is Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty?
Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty is a judge of the Calcutta High Court, born on 27 November 1966, who was enrolled as an advocate in 1991 and specialised in civil and constitutional law. He was elevated as Additional Judge on 30 October 2013 and confirmed as a permanent judge on 14 March 2016.
When will a permanent Chief Justice be appointed for the Calcutta High Court?
A permanent Chief Justice will be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium, but no official timeline has been announced. Until then, Justice Chakraborty will discharge all duties of the office.
Who is the outgoing Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court?
The outgoing Chief Justice is Justice Sujoy Paul, who retires on 20 June 2026 upon reaching the age of superannuation. His retirement triggered the acting appointment under Article 223.
