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Former Calcutta High Court Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay Joins BJP, Eyes Political Career

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In a historic move, former Calcutta High Court Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, March 7, following his resignation from the esteemed judiciary. Gangopadhyay, who was set to retire in August 2024, has broken new ground by becoming the first High Court judge in recent memory to step down and venture into the realm of politics.

Expressing his commitment to his newfound journey in politics, Gangopadhyay remarked, "Today I have entered into a new world where people like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other leaders are present. I will try my best to shoulder whatever responsibility the party will give me." His decision to join the BJP has sparked speculation about his potential candidacy in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Bengal's Tamluk constituency, representing the party.

At 62 years of age, Gangopadhay embarked on his judicial career at the Calcutta High Court as an additional judge in 2018 and was later appointed as a permanent judge in July 2020. Transitioning from a distinguished career in the West Bengal Civil Service to the legal profession approximately a decade ago, Gangopadhyay has garnered attention for his significant contributions and contentious rulings during his tenure at the high court.

Throughout his tenure, Justice Gangopadhyay found himself embroiled in controversies, defying orders of larger Benches, engaging in disputes with lawyers and the ruling Trinamool Congress party in West Bengal, and even facing a confrontation with a fellow judge at the High Court. His rulings on education-related issues in the Mamata Banerjee-ruled state stirred political debates, further solidifying his reputation as a polarizing figure in the judiciary.

Notably, since 2022, Justice Gangopadhyay has issued numerous directives directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to probe the alleged school jobs scam in West Bengal. One of his orders resulted in the termination of over 32,000 teacher appointments, although a subsequent Division Bench stay halted the implementation of this decision, adding another layer of controversy to his legacy.

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