JudiciaryAppointment – Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty Named Acting Chief of Calcutta High Court
JudiciaryAppointment – The Central Government on Friday announced the appointment of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty as the Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. The decision comes ahead of the retirement of the current Chief Justice, Justice Sujoy Paul, who is scheduled to step down on June 20, 2026, after reaching the age of superannuation.
Centre Issues Official Notification
The appointment was confirmed through a notification released by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice. According to the notification, the President of India has exercised powers granted under Article 223 of the Constitution to designate Justice Chakraborty to discharge the responsibilities of the Chief Justice following Justice Paul’s retirement.
The notification stated that Justice Chakraborty, who currently serves as a judge of the Calcutta High Court, will take over the administrative and judicial duties of the office until a regular Chief Justice is appointed.
Constitutional Provision Governing the Appointment
Article 223 of the Constitution provides a mechanism for ensuring continuity in the functioning of High Courts. It authorizes the President to appoint a sitting judge to perform the duties of the Chief Justice whenever the position becomes vacant or when the Chief Justice is unable to carry out official responsibilities.
This constitutional arrangement helps maintain uninterrupted judicial administration and ensures that the court’s functioning is not affected during transitional periods.
Legal Career Spanning More Than Three Decades
Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty was born on November 27, 1966, into a family with a strong legal background. He joined the legal profession after enrolling as an advocate on January 29, 1991.
Over the years, he built an extensive practice before the Calcutta High Court, handling a wide range of matters. His work largely focused on civil disputes and constitutional issues, particularly cases involving service-related and education-related laws. He also developed significant expertise in constitutional law during his years at the Bar.
Journey to the High Court Bench
After more than two decades of legal practice, Justice Chakraborty was elevated to the bench of the Calcutta High Court as an Additional Judge on October 30, 2013. His judicial career progressed further when he was confirmed as a permanent judge on March 14, 2016.
During his tenure on the bench, he has been associated with the adjudication of several important legal matters and has contributed to the functioning of one of the country’s oldest High Courts.
Leadership Transition at Calcutta High Court
The appointment marks an important administrative transition for the Calcutta High Court as Justice Sujoy Paul prepares to conclude his tenure. Acting Chief Justice appointments are a routine constitutional process designed to ensure smooth leadership changes within the judiciary.
With Justice Chakraborty set to assume the role, the court’s administrative responsibilities and judicial work are expected to continue without interruption while the process for appointing a permanent Chief Justice moves forward.