A former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has urged the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to take suo motu action regarding a letter from judicial officers in West Bengal. The letter raises concerns about critical issues affecting the judiciary in the state. The request highlights the need for immediate intervention to address these challenges.
New Delhi: Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Senior Advocate Adish Aggarwala urged the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to take suo motu action based on a letter submitted by three judicial officers from West Bengal.
The officers, stationed in Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas district, and residing in the judicial quarters known as ‘Judges Abasan,’ recounted a disturbing incident that took place in the early hours of September 9, 2024.
According to the letter, a police officer from the Diamond Harbour district directed the security guards at the judicial quarters to permit two individuals to enter the premises to disconnect the power supply at an inappropriate and odd hour.
This incident raised significant concerns about judicial security and independence, potentially signalling an attempt to intimidate or interfere with the judicial process, as highlighted by Senior Advocate Adish Aggarwala. He called on the CJI to take suo motu cognisance of the matter, stressing the importance of safeguarding judicial independence and the integrity of the judiciary.
In this context, suo motu action would mean the judiciary initiating legal proceedings on its own initiative, without waiting for a formal petition, due to the serious concerns raised by the judicial officers.
The Chief Justice of India’s (CJI) intervention could result in a comprehensive investigation into the actions of the police officer involved, as well as an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the attempt to disconnect the power supply. If pursued, this case could highlight the judiciary’s commitment to protecting the independence and security of its officers.
In their official complaint to the District Judge, the judicial officers expressed their belief that the incident was linked to unfavourable orders they had passed in certain POCSO Act cases, which may have prompted retaliatory actions. They described the power disconnection attempt as an effort to intimidate them into delivering favourable judgments in future cases. The officers also conveyed that they no longer felt secure in their official residences.
Additionally, Sukanta Majumdar, Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the North-eastern Region, wrote to Union Minister for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, on September 11, expressing grave concern over the incident.
Majumdar described the event as indicative of a breakdown in law and order in West Bengal and urged the government to ensure the protection of judicial independence, calling for strict action against those involved, including the police officers suspected of complicity.
The former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) highlighted the gravity of the threat to judicial independence and constitutional rights in his appeal to the Chief Justice of India (CJI). He argued that this incident should not be seen as an isolated case but as a direct challenge to the judiciary’s authority.
The former SCBA President stressed that a failure to take prompt action could set a dangerous precedent, leaving judicial officers in West Bengal feeling unable to carry out their duties without fear. He urged the Supreme Court to protect judicial officers from external threats, ensuring they can perform their duties independently and free from intimidation.
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