Rs 5 Lakh Fine Imposed On Mamata Banerjee For Seeking Recusal Of Calcutta HC judge From Nandigram Plea

On Wednesday, the Calcutta High Court imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for seeking recusal of Justice Kaushik Chanda from her Nandigram election petition over the judge's alleged links with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reports Hindustan Times.

It should be noted that Mamata Banerjee's counsel had appealed for transfer of the case from Justice Kaushik Chanda's bench, citing bias as they claimed that Justice Chanda has often been seen with BJP leaders.

The application of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo was rejected by Justice Chanda himself while also imposing a fine of Rs 5 lakh on the petitioner. Additionally, Justice Chanda later recused himself from the case independently and released the case from his bench.

"If a person appears for a political party, it is uncommon but he lays aside his bias while hearing a case. In this case, pecuniary interest does not arise," said Justice Kaushik Chanda during the hearing.

He added, "A deliberate and absolute attempt was made to affect my decision even before the case was heard. It is preposterous to suggest that a judge who has an association with a political party for a case. A judge cannot be seen to be biased because of the litigant's view."

The court order further stated that the fine paid by the West Bengal CM will be used for the families of lawyers affected by Covid-19.