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Abhijit Gangopadhyay

Overview

Abhijit Gangopadhyay is an Indian politician and former judge of the Calcutta High Court. After resigning from the judiciary in 2024, he entered electoral politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Tamluk constituency in West Bengal in the 2024 Indian general election.

Key Facts

Name Abhijit Gangopadhyay
Also known as Abhijit Gangully
Nationality Indian
Profession Politician; former judge
Former judicial post Judge, Calcutta High Court
Political party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Constituency Tamluk (Lok Sabha), West Bengal
Term began 2024

Background

Gangopadhyay practised law before being elevated to the bench of the Calcutta High Court, where he served as a sitting judge for several years. During his tenure he heard a number of matters concerning the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff in West Bengal government-aided schools, which received considerable public attention in the state.

Judicial career

As a judge of the Calcutta High Court, Gangopadhyay presided over writ petitions relating to alleged irregularities in the appointment process conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission. His handling of these matters made him a prominent figure in public discourse in West Bengal.

Transition to politics

In March 2024, Gangopadhyay resigned from his position as a judge of the Calcutta High Court and shortly thereafter joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP nominated him as its candidate from the Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency in the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal for the 2024 general election.

Electoral career

Contesting his first election, Gangopadhyay won the Tamluk seat in 2024 and entered the 18th Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament. The constituency had previously been associated with senior leaders of various parties in West Bengal politics.

Significance

Gangopadhyay's transition from a sitting judge of a constitutional court to an elected legislator within a short span drew attention to the broader debate in India regarding post-retirement and post-resignation political roles for members of the higher judiciary.

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