The Calcutta High Court has openly expressed its displeasure over the growing political influence within the judiciary, which it sees as tarnishing the sanctity of legal proceedings. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh’s remarks during the hearing of a significant case have stirred political circles.

"Nowadays, lawyers function in alignment with political parties. Their source of power is no longer the courtroom, but external to it," he observed.

This critical comment came during the hearing of a petition alleging police excesses against the family members of a father and son who were killed in connection with a Waqf Board issue in Murshidabad. Senior advocate Billwadal Bhattacharya appeared on behalf of the petitioners. According to the petition, the complainant was allegedly coerced into signing a statement related to a kidnapping case, which subsequently led the Bidhannagar Police to conduct a raid on a residence in Salt Lake.

During the hearing, when the petitioner’s counsel sought a response from the Advocate General, Justice Ghosh expressed his displeasure: "Lawyers now show aggression in court. This is very unfortunate. Every case will have a verdict. If dissatisfied, one can appeal. But now, lawyers aligned with political parties are staging outbursts in court," he commented.

Stating that similar issues from Murshidabad were already being heard by another bench, Justice Ghosh recused himself from the case and directed that the case records be transferred to the Chief Justice for appropriate bench assignment.

Lawyers with political affiliations drawing their authority from power centres outside the judiciary pose a threat to the justice delivery system. Justice Ghosh’s remarks underscore a concern that courtrooms are increasingly being misused as platforms for political propaganda. This trend seriously undermines both the impartiality and credibility of the judiciary.