Former Acting CJ of Calcutta High Court alleges phone tapping

Image
Press Trust of India Kolkata
Last Updated : Mar 27 2014 | 5:19 PM IST
Justice (retd) Pratap Kumar Ray, a former Acting Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court and present 'Member Judicial' of Central Administrative Tribunal's Calcutta Bench, has alleged that his phone was being tapped.
Ray, who had passed an order setting aside the appointment of the DGP of West Bengal police and promotion of four other IPS officers to the rank of DG by the West Bengal government, has written a letter to Union Home Secretary seeking necessary action in this regard, CAT sources said here today.
"His lordship apprehends that his mobile phone... Is being tapped for the last few days," the letter sent by the registrar of CAT's Kolkata bench K Biswal said "as directed by Justice Ray."
"He uses the phone to contact different dignitaries including the chairman of CAT, New Delhi, relating to official matters and also for personal calls," the letter said.
"You are requested to take necessary action as per law as tapping of mobile phone is not only an offence, but it is a breach of Article 21 of the Constitution of India," said the letter addressed to the Union Home Secretary.
Justice Ray was in the news over his order of February three setting aside the promotion of five IPS officers to the post of director general, including the present director general of West Bengal Police, on a petition by their fellow officer Nazrul Islam, who has retired on February 28.
The order of the CAT has since been struck down by a division bench of Calcutta High Court on an appeal by the West Bengal government.
The West Bengal government has also filed a petition before the high court alleging bias on the part of the CAT's Kolkata bench, which includes the Member Judicial and an Administrative Member, in passing the order on the IPS officers.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 27 2014 | 5:19 PM IST

Next Story