In an unprecedented move that has stirred considerable discussion within legal and political circles, Justice Abhijeet Gangopadhyay of the Calcutta High Court has resigned from his judicial position, signaling a potential shift towards politics. This is not the first instance of a judge trading the robes for a political mantle; various judges have previously transitioned to significant roles, ranging from Members of Parliament to Chief Ministers.
Justice Gangopadhyay’s decision follows a historical pattern where legal luminaries have ventured into the political arena post-retirement. Notably, Justice Vijay Bahuguna of the Bombay High Court resigned in February 1995 and later emerged as a significant political figure, serving as a Member of Parliament and subsequently as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
The trend extends beyond High Courts to the Supreme Court, with several justices assuming constitutional and legislative positions post-retirement. Justice M. Rama Jois, a former Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, transitioned to a political role as a Rajya Sabha member following his retirement, and also served as the Governor of Jharkhand and Bihar.
Justice Ranjan Gogoi, the 46th Chief Justice of India, became a notable figure in this trend when he accepted a nomination to the Rajya Sabha shortly after his retirement, sparking debate and opposition walkouts in Parliament.
Other distinguished justices like S. Abdul Nazir and Ashok Bhushan have also transitioned to significant roles post-retirement, serving as Governors and heading national tribunals respectively.
The list includes luminaries such as Justice P. Sathasivam, who became the Governor of Kerala after serving as the Chief Justice of India, and Justice Ranganath Misra, who went on to become the first Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission and later a member of the Rajya Sabha.
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Justice Fatima Beevi made history as the first female judge of the Supreme Court and later served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu. Similarly, Justice Baharul Islam, after serving at the Supreme Court, was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
