Hearing on Tata case interrupted

Taking exception to the reported remarks of a lawyer appearing for the West Bengal government, counsel for Tata Motors Ltd refused to continue with their deposition in the Calcutta High Court today.

At the scheduled start of hearing on the third day this morning, Tata Motors Limited counsel Samaraditya Pal told the court of Justice Saumitra Pal that Kalyan Bandopadhyay, who appeared for the state government, had made personal attacks against him on a TV programme yesterday.

Pal told the court that he was very disturbed and was not prepared to continue with the hearing today. He also went to the extent of saying of quitting the case.

Justice Pal said that the matter was also embarrassing for him and enquired about Bandopadhyay who was not present in the court.

The court was informed by Advocate-General Anindya Mitra that he had gone to Bankura to complete his mother's rituals who who had passed away.

Mitra pleaded that the hearing might continue.

Justice Pal said that the court would reassemble later in the day to re-start the hearing process.