Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Calcutta High Court Sets Two-Month Deadline in LoP Dispute
A court is deciding who should be the leader of the Opposition.
The Assembly Speaker had recognised Ritabrata Banerjee for the position.
Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay challenged that decision and asked the court to pause it.
A larger group of judges did not pause Ritabrata’s recognition for now.
However, the judges said the Speaker should have spoken with both leaders before deciding.
Another judge must examine the main disagreement within two months.
This means Ritabrata can continue in the role temporarily.
Ritabrata and an ally said the decision showed that their side had legal support.
A Calcutta High Court division bench declined to immediately overturn Ritabrata Banerjee’s recognition as Opposition leader.
The bench directed Justice Krishna Rao’s single-judge bench to decide the main dispute within two months.
The court said Speaker Rathindra Bose should have consulted both Ritabrata Banerjee and Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay.
Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay was denied an interim stay, allowing Ritabrata Banerjee to remain in the post temporarily.
Ritabrata Banerjee and his rebel bloc described the ruling as a moral victory.
- Who
- Ritabrata Banerjee, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose, and the Calcutta High Court.
- What
- The court declined to suspend Ritabrata Banerjee’s recognition as leader of the Opposition and ordered a decision on the main dispute within two months.
- When
- Tuesday; the substantive dispute must be decided within two months.
- Where
- The Calcutta High Court.
- Why
- Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay had challenged the Speaker’s decision recognising Ritabrata Banerjee.
Ritabrata Banerjee’s Side
Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay’s Side
Recognition as Opposition Leader
Ritabrata Banerjee’s Side
Ritabrata Banerjee’s side supports his recognition by Speaker Rathindra Bose and welcomed the refusal to suspend it.
Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay’s Side
Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay challenged the Speaker’s decision and sought an interim stay.
Decision-Making Process
Ritabrata Banerjee’s Side
Ritabrata Banerjee’s continued recognition was not halted while the main petition is considered.
Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay’s Side
The court observed that the Speaker should have consulted both Ritabrata Banerjee and Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay before deciding.
Meaning of the Ruling
Ritabrata Banerjee’s Side
Ritabrata Banerjee called the outcome a moral victory, while Sandipan Saha said it confirmed that the law was on their side.
Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay’s Side
Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay’s request for interim relief was not granted, but the substantive dispute remains unresolved.
- Court action
- A division bench declined, at this stage, to interfere with the Speaker’s recognition of Ritabrata Banerjee.
- Deadline
- Justice Krishna Rao’s single-judge bench was directed to decide the substantive dispute within two months.
- Speaker’s decision
- Rathindra Bose recognised Ritabrata Banerjee as the leader of the Opposition.
- Court’s observation
- The Speaker should have consulted both Ritabrata Banerjee and Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay.
- Interim relief
- The court declined to grant Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay an interim stay.
- Immediate result
- Ritabrata Banerjee can continue in the post until the main petition is decided.