In a major development here on Friday, Anindya Kumar Mitra resigned as West Bengal’s Advocate-General amid speculation of growing differences between him and the State Government.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has appointed Bimal Chatterjee the new Advocate-General.
Asserting that the decision was no cause for “embarrassment” to the State Government, Minister of State for Law Chandrima Bhattacharya said Mr. Mitra had given no reason for his resignation with immediate effect. She pointed out that during the 34 years of Left Front rule there had been different Advocates-General for different terms. The Government is not aware of any misgiving Mr. Mitra might have had with it, she said, adding that it was grateful for the service he had rendered as the Advocate General.
Sources in legal circles, however, told The Hindu that Mr. Mitra did indeed have his differences with the State Government on certain issues. Mr. Mitra was not available for comment.
Asked whether the resignation could have been in reaction to the State Government’s displeasure over certain rulings going against it in the Calcutta High Court, Ms. Bhattacharya pointed out that the “justice delivery system” provided for appeals to be made to higher courts up to the Supreme Court.
