Calcutta High Court lawyers began a five-day strike earlier this week demanding that appointments be made to fill the vacancies in judges of the court. The working strength of the court is now at 30 against the full strength of 72.
The high court building was deserted even though the judges arrived at the courts. Petitions were called at courts for hearing, but as there were no lawyers appearing for the parties, the judges subsequently left for the chambers.
A few litigants who had not known of the strike turned up at the courts for their hearings but later departed .
Of the 30 sitting judges available currently, two are on rotation permanently at the Andaman and Nicobar Circuit Bench of the high court.
No Response To Earlier Attempts
Uttam Majumdar president of the High Court Bar Association stated that the association had passed a resolution for holding a strike from February 19 to 23 since there had been no progress with respect to appointment of judges to the high court despite sending several letters to the Centre and holding agitations like sit-in demonstration or rallies.
Majumdar said that the resolution seeking “immediate filling up” of the vacancies has been sent to the President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and the Union Law Minister.
The bar association has also made a demand for the appointment of a permanent chief justice to the high court immediately, as it has been working under acting chief justices for long.
According to him, the “cease work” had been successful due to the total support of lawyers and litigants for the cause.
In an earlier statement, the Trinamool Congress Legal Cell had stated that it was opposed to the strike as it would result in more delay for the litigants and also adversely affect judges and lawyers.
As on December 2017, the number of cases pending before the Calcutta High Court are 2,22,648 as per available official data.
