Calcutta High Court Wears Deserted Look on Holi, As Lawyers Opt For Extended Weekend

Judges at the Calcutta High Court were at work on Friday, but they had little do. The court had been paralysed with the High Court Bar Association choosing to take a holiday for Holi. The result, a picture of never-before-seen emptiness in the usually bustling court area on a working day.

"There is concern all over the country that cases are not being heard in time, they are not being finished in time. Justice denied, justice delayed is the same thing. Today we have lost a day," said Capt S Mondal, a litigant.

Other visitors to the court questioned the need for two days holidays for Holi.

Charged with keeping court open for 210 days a year, Chief Justice Manjula Chellur had declared a holiday on Thursday, when Bengal celebrated its own version of Holi - Dol.

But the state government has, since last year, announced holidays on both Holi and Dol. So Thursday and Friday were state government holidays.

Speculation that the Bar Association's decision to call a holiday on Friday pointed to a confrontation between the Chief Justice and the state's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was quickly dismissed by Bar Association president Pranab Dutta. "I emphasise, there is no politics in our decision. There are technical issues. There was no point working on Friday because court officers, who are all state employees, would be absent," he said.

The Chief Justice herself refused to comment on the matter, but other lawyers found themselves in disagreement over the Bar Association's decision.

"We already have too many holidays. And just for the sake of having four continuous holidays, not to work is a bit too much I think," said Sudhir Majumdar, a lawyer.  

Charged with keeping the High Court functioning on 210 day in a year, the Chief Justice had attempted to negotiate. She had said the lawyers could take a holiday on Holi, if they agreed to work on April 18, a Saturday. But the lawyers had refused.

The Calcutta High Court is sanctioned 58 judges, but has only 38. Their tables are full, fuller after an avoidable holiday.