'Why Only One Particular Lawyer Is Assigned To Conduct Such Cases?': Calcutta HC Seeks Personal Appearance Of Police Commissioner, Legal Remembrancer

The Calcutta High Court on Friday came down heavily on the Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate for assigning all matters of the Cyber Crime Police Station of Bidhannagar to only one particular lawyer leading to frequent disruption in Court proceedings owing to repeated adjournments sought on that lawyer's behalf. 

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh sought the personal appearance of the Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, and accordingly observed, 

"The Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate will personally appear before this Court on 20.12.2021 at 10.30 a.m. to explain as to why all matters of Cyber Crime Police Station of that Police Commissionerate are assigned to a particular lawyer from Trial Court to High Court and why should the Commissionerate be held not responsible for disrupting the proceedings of this Court."

The Court made this observation following a request for adjournment made on behalf of advocate Bivas Chatterjee (the assigned State counsel) on the ground that he is engaged in a subordinate court at Chinsurah. 

Opining that this is a 'complete mockery to this Court', Justice Ghosh also called for the personal appearance of the Legal Remembrancer to explain as to why a single lawyer is appointed to conduct all such cases.  

"The Legal Remembrancer will also appear before this Court on 20.12.2021 at 10.30 a.m. to explain as to why a single lawyer is appointed to conduct all such cases and whether there is any lack of competent lawyer in the High Court to conduct such cases in the High Court"

The Court was adjudicating upon a bail application moved under Section 439 CrPC in connection with a case registered at the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station Case when the aforementioned adjournment was sought on behalf of the State counsel. 

Accordingly, the matter was listed for further hearing on December 20. The Registrar General, High Court, Calcutta was also directed to communicate the order immediately to the concerned offices.

Case Title: In Re : Abhay Tiwari

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