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{{Short description|Indian former judge and politician (born 1962)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[Justice]] (Retd.)
| name = Abhijit Gangopadhyay
| honorific_suffix =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_upright =
| alt =
| caption =
| order =
| office = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| term_start = 4 June 2024
| constituency = [[Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency|Tamluk]]
| predecessor = [[Dibyendu Adhikari]]
| successor =
| office1 = Judge of the [[Calcutta High Court]]
| term_start1 = 30 July 2020
| term_end1 = 5 March 2024
| office2 = Additional Judge at [[Calcutta High Court]]
| term_start2 = May 2018
| term_end2 = July 2020
| status2 = 
| alongside = 
| alma_mater = [[Hazra Law College]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|8|20|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Former Bangal HC Judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay Joins BJP |url=https://www.news18.com/elections/former-Banhal-hc-judge-abhijit-Chor-joins-bjp-8806773.html |website=www.news18.com|date=7 March 2024 }}</ref>
}}
'''Abhijit Gangopadhyay''' (b. 20 August 1962) is an Indian politician and former judge of the [[Calcutta High Court]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangal High Court {{!}} Department of Justice . He is a Member of Parliament from Bangal Tamluk Loksabha Constituency.|url=https://doj.gov.in/calcutta-high-court/ |access-date=2022-04-20 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527005036/https://doj.gov.in/calcutta-high-court/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay Resigns, To Join BJP |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/justice-abhijit-ganguly-of-calcutta-high-court-resigns-may-contest-lok-sabha-polls-5179402 |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-04 |title=Tamluk, West Bengal Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 Highlights: Abhijit Gangopadhyay Emerges Victorious |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/lok-sabha/story/tamluk-west-bengal-lok-sabha-election-results-2024-live-updates-clse-2548091-2024-06-04 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Gangopadhyay was born to Late Gobindo Ganguly and Late Shovana Ganguly in 1962.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay: বিবাহিত অভিজিৎ গঙ্গোপাধ্যায়, কোথায় থাকেন স্ত্রী? বিচারপতি সম্পর্কে অজানা তথ্য চমকে দেবে |url=https://banglahunt.com/unknown-facts-about-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-sdh/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=banglahunt.com |language=bn}}</ref> He did his schooling at [[Mitra Institution (Main)]] in [[Kolkata]],<ref name="ABP Ananda 'বিকাশ রঞ্জন ভট্টাচার্যের মতো মানুষের কাছে">{{cite news |title='বিকাশ রঞ্জন ভট্টাচার্যের মতো মানুষের কাছে আইনচর্চা করেছি, আমাকে ঠকানো মুশকিল' |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/district/ghantakhanek-sange-suman-honourable-justice-of-kolkata-high-court-abhijit-gangopadhyay-comments-on-life-921834 |access-date=21 September 2022 |work=bengali.abplive.com |date=21 September 2022 |language=bn |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921101601/https://bengali.abplive.com/district/ghantakhanek-sange-suman-honourable-justice-of-kolkata-high-court-abhijit-gangopadhyay-comments-on-life-921834 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Irshadgul">{{cite news |title=Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay: At one time SSC was the law officer of 'WBCS' Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, corruption cannot be tolerated at all … {{!}} West Bengal calchat high court justice abhijit gangapadhyay started career as wbcs officer IG News |url=https://irshadgul.com/justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-at-one-time-ssc-was-the-law-officer-of-wbcs-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-corruption-cannot-be-tolerated-at-all-west-bengal-calchat-high-court-justice-abhijit-ga/ |access-date=19 September 2022 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202145614/https://irshadgul.com/justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-at-one-time-ssc-was-the-law-officer-of-wbcs-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-corruption-cannot-be-tolerated-at-all-west-bengal-calchat-high-court-justice-abhijit-ga/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and passed out from the school in 1979.<ref name="ABPLive বাংলা মিডিয়াম স্কুল">{{cite news |title=বাংলা মিডিয়াম স্কুল, ছোটবেলায় পিতৃবিয়োগ, স্ট্রাগল পেরিয়ে আইনচর্চা, এবিপি আনন্দে মন-খোলা বিচারপতি |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/news/aaj-focus-e/abhijit-gangopadhyay-opens-up-on-his-struggle-at-early-age-abp-ananda-exclusive-ghantakhanek-sange-suman-921684 |access-date=21 September 2022 |work=bengali.abplive.com |date=20 September 2022 |language=bn |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921100413/https://bengali.abplive.com/news/aaj-focus-e/abhijit-gangopadhyay-opens-up-on-his-struggle-at-early-age-abp-ananda-exclusive-ghantakhanek-sange-suman-921684 |url-status=live }}</ref> He studied law at [[Hazra Law College]].<ref name="ThePrint HC judge who ordered CBI probe into several cases says he wants to be remembered for some judgements">{{cite news |title=HC judge who ordered CBI probe into several cases says he wants to be remembered for some judgements |url=https://theprint.in/india/hc-judge-who-ordered-cbi-probe-into-several-cases-says-he-wants-to-be-remembered-for-some-judgements/1135049/ |access-date=19 September 2022 |work=ThePrint |date=19 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172325/https://theprint.in/india/hc-judge-who-ordered-cbi-probe-into-several-cases-says-he-wants-to-be-remembered-for-some-judgements/1135049/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

During college life, Gangopadhyay acted in [[Bengali theatre]]. He was a member of a theatre group "Amitra Chanda". In 1986, he last acted in a play.<ref name="Anandabazar daily life">{{cite news |last1=রায় |first1=রিচা |title=Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay {{!}} Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/lifestyle/justice-abhijit-gangopadhyays-daily-life-routine-dgtl/cid/1354651 |access-date=19 September 2022 |work=anandabazar.com |language=bn |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173016/https://www.anandabazar.com/lifestyle/justice-abhijit-gangopadhyays-daily-life-routine-dgtl/cid/1354651 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Legal career==
Gangopadhyay started his career as a [[West Bengal Civil Service]] (WBCS) officer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=আনন্দ |first=ওয়েব ডেস্ক, এবিপি |date=2022-05-21 |title=WBCS অফিসার হিসেবে শুরু, তারপর কীভাবে এগিয়েছে বিচারপতির কেরিয়ার |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/district/calcutta-hc-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-started-career-as-wbcs-know-his-career-graph-890649 |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=bengali.abplive.com |language=bn |archive-date=2023-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202145614/https://bengali.abplive.com/district/calcutta-hc-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-started-career-as-wbcs-know-his-career-graph-890649 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was posted at [[North Dinajpur]].<ref name="TV9 Bangla WBCS অফিসার থেকে হাইকোর্টের বিচারপতি">{{cite news |title=WBCS অফিসার থেকে হাইকোর্টের বিচারপতি, জীবনের লড়াইয়ে কীভাবে উঠে এলেন বিচারপতি গঙ্গোপাধ্যায় |url=https://tv9bangla.com/kolkata/west-bengal-calcutta-high-court-justice-abhijit-gangapadhyay-started-career-as-wbcs-officer-au14-567968.html |access-date=21 September 2022 |work=TV9 Bangla |date=21 May 2022 |language=bn |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921102203/https://tv9bangla.com/kolkata/west-bengal-calcutta-high-court-justice-abhijit-gangapadhyay-started-career-as-wbcs-officer-au14-567968.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Thereafter, he left the job and practised as a State Advocate in the [[Calcutta High Court]] before being elevated to the bench as an additional judge on 2 May 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-15 |title=SC Collegium Proposes To Appoint Additional Judge Of Calcutta HC, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, As Permanent [Read Resolution] |url=https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/sc-collegium-proposes-to-appoint-additional-judge-of-calcutta-hc-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-as-permanent-read-resolution-159952 |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref> He became a permanent judge on 30 July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Calcutta High Court – Judges |url=https://www.calcuttahighcourt.gov.in/Judges/165 |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=www.calcuttahighcourt.gov.in}}</ref> Gangopadhyay resigned from his post on 5 March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-03 |title=Resigning to join politics, TMC taunts behind my decision: Calcutta HC judge |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/calcutta-hc-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-quitting-judiciary-to-join-politics-9193333/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=3 March 2024 |title=Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay to resign on March 5 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/calcutta-high-court-judge-abhijit-gangopadhay-resign-on-march-5-ordered-cbi-probe-into-recruitment-scam-2509988-2024-03-03 |work=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

=== Notable judgements ===
Since November 2021, Justice Gangopadhyay gave a series of directions of inquiry to the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) against the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) for the [[West Bengal SSC recruitment scam|alleged anomalies in recruitment process]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-15 |title=Explained: What is the West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment scam? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-west-bengal-school-service-commission-recruitment-scam-7869437/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Shiv Sahay |date=2022-04-04 |title=West Bengal SSC recruitment scam roils Calcutta HC |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/west-bengal-ssc-recruitment-scam-roils-calcutta-hc/article65290590.ece |access-date=2022-04-20 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He passed a number of orders against the officials of the School Service Commission, which lead to some political issues in [[West Bengal]] as well as Calcutta High Court.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-18 |title=Kolkata High Court: নজিরবিহীন! হাইকোর্টে প্রথমবার, বিচারপতির সমর্থনে পড়ল পোস্টার |url=https://zeenews.india.com/bengali/kolkata/kolkata-high-court-justice-abhijit-ganguly-poster_428843.html |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Zee24Ghanta.com |language=bn |archive-date=2022-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420051001/https://zeenews.india.com/bengali/kolkata/kolkata-high-court-justice-abhijit-ganguly-poster_428843.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Calcutta High Court stays CBI probe in School Service Commission hiring case |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/news/calcutta-high-court-stays-cbi-probe-in-school-service-commission-hiring-case/cid/1858649 |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |archive-date=2022-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420051432/https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/news/calcutta-high-court-stays-cbi-probe-in-school-service-commission-hiring-case/cid/1858649 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gangopadhyay wrote a letter seeking intervention of the [[Chief Justice of India]] regarding the action of Division Bench in the cases of alleged irregularities of School Service Commission.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Anupam Mishra Suryagni Roy |date=13 April 2022 |title=TMC members protest in front of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay room in Calcutta HC |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tmc-protest-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-calcutta-hc-1936952-2022-04-13 |access-date=2022-04-20 |magazine=India Today |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420050511/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tmc-protest-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-calcutta-hc-1936952-2022-04-13 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2022 |title=Abhijit Gangopadhyay: 'highest Degree Of Double Standard' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/highest-degree-of-double-standard/articleshow/90553029.cms |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420050748/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/highest-degree-of-double-standard/articleshow/90553029.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Abhijeet Ganguly: মাথায় বন্দুক ঠেকিয়েও আমাকে রোখা যাবে না, বললেন বিচারপতি অভিজিৎ গঙ্গোপাধ্যায় |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/i-will-raise-voice-against-corruption-says-calcutta-high-court-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-dgtl/cid/1338630 |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=www.anandabazar.com |language=bn |archive-date=2022-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415140237/https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/i-will-raise-voice-against-corruption-says-calcutta-high-court-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-dgtl/cid/1338630 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Rittick Mondal |date=30 March 2022 |title=Tying hands of single judge: Calcutta HC's Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay seeks CJI's intervention |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tying-hands-of-single-judge-calcutta-hc-s-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-seeks-cji-s-intervention-1931638-2022-03-30 |access-date=2022-04-20 |magazine=India Today |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420050515/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tying-hands-of-single-judge-calcutta-hc-s-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-seeks-cji-s-intervention-1931638-2022-03-30 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 13 April 2022 the Bar Association, Calcutta High Court brought out a resolution to boycott the Court of Gangopadhyay.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 April 2022 |title=gangopadhyay: Judge Boycott Call Spurs Ruckus In Courtroom |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/judge-boycott-call-spurs-ruckus-in-courtroom/articleshow/90831281.cms |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420051536/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/judge-boycott-call-spurs-ruckus-in-courtroom/articleshow/90831281.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Trinamool Congress]] law cell protested outside his courtroom<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Bengal: Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay calls meeting to end chaos in Calcutta HC |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/west-bengal-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-calls-meeting-to-end-chaos-in-calcutta-hc |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419122304/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/west-bengal-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-calls-meeting-to-end-chaos-in-calcutta-hc |url-status=live }}</ref> and the then Governor [[Jagdeep Dhankhar]] wrote letter to the [[Chief Minister of West Bengal]] on this issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suryam |first=Shagun |title=Trinamool lawyers protest outside courtroom of Calcutta High Court's Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay; Governor writes to CM |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/calcutta-high-court-protests-outside-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyays-courtroom |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=Bar and Bench |date=13 April 2022 |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202145614/https://www.barandbench.com/news/calcutta-high-court-protests-outside-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyays-courtroom |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lawyers protest in Calcutta HC; Dhankhar seeks meeting with CM Mamata |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/apr/14/lawyers-protest-in-calcutta-hc-dhankhar-seeks-meeting-with-cm-mamata-2441970.html |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=The New Indian Express |date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=2022-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420051742/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/apr/14/lawyers-protest-in-calcutta-hc-dhankhar-seeks-meeting-with-cm-mamata-2441970.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 May Gangopadhyay directed former Education Minister [[Partha Chatterjee (politician)|Partha Chatterjee]] to appear before the CBI for the investigation of alleged teachers recruitment scam.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-18 |title=Teachers recruitment 'scam': TMC minister Partha Chatterjee appears before CBI after failing to get relief from HC |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-ssc-recruitment-scam-cbi-probe-7923488/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519050623/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-ssc-recruitment-scam-cbi-probe-7923488/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Shiv Sahay |date=2022-05-18 |title=West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee appears before CBI in recruitment scam |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-minister-partha-chatterjee-appears-before-cbi-in-recruitment-scam/article65426605.ece |access-date=2022-05-19 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> On 17 May 2022, in another case he asked [[Paresh Chandra Adhikary]], Minister of State for [[Department of School Education (West Bengal)|Department of School Education]] to be present before CBI over his connection in alleged illegal appointment of his daughter Ankita Adhikary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teacher Recruitment Scam: Bengal minister Paresh Adhikari 'disappears' with daughter after CBI summons |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/teacher-recruitment-scam-bengal-minister-paresh-adhikari-disappears-with-daughter-after-cbi-summons |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518170714/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/teacher-recruitment-scam-bengal-minister-paresh-adhikari-disappears-with-daughter-after-cbi-summons |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-19 |title=EXCLUSIVE {{!}} Meet Petitioner Who Allegedly Lost Teaching Job to Minister's Daughter Due to 'West Bengal Recruitment Scam' |url=https://www.news18.com/news/education-career/exclusive-meet-job-aspirant-whose-plea-unearthed-wb-recruitment-scam-put-ministers-from-mamata-govt-under-cbi-radar-5204953.html |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520065958/https://www.news18.com/news/education-career/exclusive-meet-job-aspirant-whose-plea-unearthed-wb-recruitment-scam-put-ministers-from-mamata-govt-under-cbi-radar-5204953.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He also urged the Chief Minister and Hon'ble Governor to remove Adhikary from the post of minister.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-18 |title=Calcutta HC directs CBI to question MoS School Education 'over appointment of daughter' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/teachers-recruitment-row-calcutta-hc-orders-cbi-probe-asks-minister-to-appear-before-agency-ssc-7922154/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519052529/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/teachers-recruitment-row-calcutta-hc-orders-cbi-probe-asks-minister-to-appear-before-agency-ssc-7922154/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2022, Justice Gangopadhyay instructed West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) to replace illegally appointed school teachers with eligible waiting list candidates.<ref name="The Siasat Daily">{{cite news |title=Replace illegally appointed teachers with waiting list candidates: Calcutta HC to WBSSC |url=https://www.siasat.com/replace-illegally-appointed-teachers-with-waiting-list-candidates-calcutta-hc-to-wbssc-2417580/ |access-date=21 September 2022 |work=The Siasat Daily |date=21 September 2022 |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921120213/https://www.siasat.com/replace-illegally-appointed-teachers-with-waiting-list-candidates-calcutta-hc-to-wbssc-2417580/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2023, he instructed West Bengal School Service Commission to publish illegally appointed 907 school teachers of XI-XII.

In December 2023, the [[Calcutta High Court]] Bar Association boycotted Mr. Gangopadhyay after he ordered the arrest of a lawyer in his courtroom for contempt. Although the order was later withdrawn, the association demanded that all judicial work be withdrawn from Mr. Gangopadhyay until he apologised to the advocate and the bar. After staying away from court for two days, Mr. Gangopadhyay addressed the bar association members with apologises and then the boycott was lifted by lawyers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From Courts To Votes: Abhijit Gangopadhyay And His Many Controversies |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/abhijit-ganguly-calcutta-high-court-judge-from-courts-to-votes-abhijit-gangopadhyay-and-his-many-controversies-5181894 |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=judge apologised to lawyers in calcutta - Google Search |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=judge+apologised+to+lawyers+in+calcutta&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyCwgAEEUYChg5GKABMgkIARAhGAoYoAEyCQgCECEYChigAdIBCDcxNjFqMGo0qAIAsAIB |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=www.google.com}}</ref> This marked the first instance in Calcutta High Court where a sitting judge had to apologise to bar association members and lawyers.

== Political career ==
Gangopadhyay resigned his judicial position on 5 March 2024<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-03 |title=Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Ganguly to resign, may enter politics: Sources |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/calcutta-high-court-judge-abhijit-gangopadhay-resign-on-march-5-ordered-cbi-probe-into-recruitment-scam-2509988-2024-03-03 |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> and started his political journey within 2 days as a member of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-05 |title='Will join BJP…party will decide if I will contest (Lok Sabha polls) or not': Former Calcutta HC judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-resigns-as-judge-of-calcutta-high-court-9196378/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> He officially joined on 7 March 2024 into the party by [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] leaders [[Suvendu Adhikari]] and [[Sukanta Majumdar]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Bureau |first=ABP News |date=2024-03-07 |title=Former Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay Joins BJP |url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/abhijit-gangopadhyay-joins-bjp-calcutta-high-court-judge-1669826 |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=news.abplive.com |language=en}}</ref> ahead of the [[2024 Indian general election]]. He was subsequently contested for the [[2024 Indian general election|Lok Sabha Election 2024]] from [[Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=সংবাদদাতা |first=আনন্দবাজার অনলাইন |title=সব পরিকল্পনা ঠিক মতো এগোলে তমলুক লোকসভা থেকে বিজেপির টিকিটেই প্রার্থী বিচারপতি গঙ্গোপাধ্যায় |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/elections/lok-sabha-election-2024/will-bjp-field-calcutta-high-court-judge-abhijit-gangopadhyay-in-tamluk-in-lok-sabha-election-2024-dgtl/cid/1500478 |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=www.anandabazar.com |language=bn}}</ref> and became the [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-04 |title=Tamluk, West Bengal Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 Highlights: Abhijit Gangopadhyay Emerges Victorious |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/lok-sabha/story/tamluk-west-bengal-lok-sabha-election-results-2024-live-updates-clse-2548091-2024-06-04 |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref name="2024 Loksabha Elections Results - Tamluk">{{cite news |date=4 June 2024 |title=2024 Loksabha Elections Results - Tamluk |url=https://results.eci.gov.in/PcResultGenJune2024/candidateswise-S2530.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720155631/https://results.eci.gov.in/PcResultGenJune2024/candidateswise-S2530.htm |archive-date=20 July 2025 |access-date=20 July 2025 |work= |publisher=Election Commission of India |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Tamluk Constituency Lok Sabha Election Results 2014 - 2024">{{cite news |date=4 June 2024 |title=Tamluk Constituency Lok Sabha Election Results 2014 - 2024 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-constituencies/west-bengal/tamluk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720155658/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-constituencies/west-bengal/tamluk |archive-date=20 July 2025 |access-date=20 July 2025 |publisher=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

==Controversy==
On 15 May 2024 during the campaign of Lok Sabha Election Gangopadhyay made derogatory remarks against [[Mamata Banerjee]], Chief Minister of West Bengal<ref>{{Cite web |last=NETWORK |first=LIVELAW NEWS |date=2024-05-21 |title='Brought Disrepute To West Bengal' : ECI Censures Ex-HC Judge & BJP Candidate For 'Low-Level Attack' Against Mamta Banerjee |url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/eci-censures-ex-hc-judge-bjp-candidate-justice-abhijit-gangopadhyay-against-mamta-banerjee-258475 |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Election Commission of India]] censured him and imposed a campaigning bar on him for 24 hours due to the alleged low-level personal attack.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-21 |title=Election Commission censures former judge-turned-BJP candidate, bars campaign for 24 hours |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha/ec-bans-bjps-abhijit-gangopadhyay-from-campaigning-for-24-hours-for-remarks-against-mamata-banerjee/article68199248.ece |access-date=2024-05-22 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-21 |title=EC bars Gangopadhyay from campaign for 24 hrs over his remarks on Mamata |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/election-commission-abhijit-gangopadhyay-lok-sabha-polls-code-violations-9342426/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=May 22 |first=ET BureauLast Updated |date=2024-05-22 |title=BJP leader Abhijit Gangopadhyay can't campaign for 24 hours, says EC |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/west-bengal/bjp-leader-abhijit-gangopadhyay-cant-campaign-for-24-hours-says-ec/articleshow/110312504.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-05-22 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwCNmEiDMRI Interview of Abhijit Gangopahdyay] by [[ABP Ananda]] (in Bengali)

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gangopadhyay, Abhijit}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Judges of the Calcutta High Court]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian judges]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:People from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from West Bengal]]
[[Category:India MPs 2024–2029]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from West Bengal]]

Abhijit Gangopadhyay - Revision history

ChristenaMcGraw at 02:37, 25 April 2026