Kolkata, 08 October (H.S.): Following an early morning attack on the residence of senior advocate and CPI(M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, the matter was urgently brought before the Calcutta High Court on Thursday, prompting the division bench headed by Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge to seek a comprehensive report from the West Bengal government by Friday detailing the actions taken to ensure the safety of advocates.

Drawing the court's urgent attention to the incident, senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee submitted that lawyers speaking out against the state administration are facing severe threats, even proposing a cease-work. The Chief Justice, however, disapproved of the cease-work proposal, observing that he would oppose any such disruption, remarking that judges remain advocates at heart throughout their lives. Raising questions over law and order, Banerjee argued that outside anti-social elements were targeting legal professionals and questioned the role of the police and intelligence machinery. In response, the Additional Advocate General assured the court that the police would take prompt and decisive action, pointing out that during the previous government's tenure, demonstrations had even been held outside a sitting judge's residence.

During the mention, references were also made to earlier attacks on advocates Kalyan Banerjee and Shamim Ahmed, questioning the outcome of FIRs filed in those instances. Directing the state authorities to clarify its stance by Friday regarding steps taken following attacks on lawyers, the bench observed that while security around the High Court premises could be enhanced, providing individual police protection at every advocate's personal residence is practically impossible.

The legal intervention comes after a miscreant with a covered face targeted Bhattacharyya’s East Jadavpur residence earlier on Thursday morning. The assailant hurled empty liquor bottles, shattering windowpanes, and shouted abuses directed at the veteran leader before fleeing. The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed at the premises. The attack drew widespread condemnation across political lines, with former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the faction led by her strongly denouncing the vandalism before the issue was formally raised in the High Court.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh