Cal HC reserves order on contempt plea against Mamata

After hearing the verbal prayer for initiating the suo motu contempt, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Joymalya Bagchi reserved its order on whether it was criticism for betterment of the judiciary or disrespect shown to it.

The bench, which heard the plea by counsels Bikash Bhattacharya and Rabishankar Chatterjee, observed that it was a seminar where Mamata had spoken and everyone could have their own opinion.

It observed that Banerjee had not mentioned any particular case or court.

Bhattacharya, a former mayor of Kolkata, submitted that contempt proceedings have been drawn against Minister of State Becharam Manna by the court for making alleged derogatory comments against the judiciary and as such similar steps be taken against the chief minister.

At this, the court said that in the case of Manna, the allegation was that he had commented against a particular order, but here the alleged comment was not directed against any particular order or court.

The two amicus curiae submitted that they had earlier given their opinion on the matter that the issue may not be ignored, but the final decision was up to the court on whether to draw up contempt against Banerjee.

The chief minister had during a seminar on August 14 made the comments about the judiciary which was alleged to be derogatory in nature.

Bhattacharya had moved the court of Justice K J Sengupta praying for a suo motu contempt against Banerjee.

Justice Sengupta had heard submissions and the suggestions of amicus curiae appointed by him on whether the court could take up a suo motu contempt against Banerjee.

A decision on taking up the contempt was pending when Justice Sengupta was transferred.