Calcutta High Court Questions Remarks on Judicial Impartiality During Security Cover Hearing

The Calcutta High Court questioned remarks by MP Abhishek Banerjee concerning political affiliations of judges during the hearing of his challenge to reduction of security cover from Z+ to X. Justice Krishna Rao asked counsel to identify the judges referred to in the allegations. The state sought contempt action, while Banerjee sought reassessment of threats. The court indicated that the controversy would not determine the merits of the security petition and reserved its decision. The hearing illustrates the distinction between judicial review of a security assessment and separate questions concerning public criticism of judges, judicial independence and possible contempt proceedings.