No state panels in dist courts, HC seeks lawyers’ list
Times of India | 17 July 2026
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the legal remembrancer to submit a list of the state’s panel lawyers for district and sub-divisional courts by July 20 after a PIL highlighted the absence of govt panels following the change in govt after the 2026 Assembly polls.
Advocate Manoj Kumar Roy, appearing in person, told the division bench of acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee that the lack of govt pleaders had stalled proceedings involving the state. “In Alipore Court, Barasat Court and Basirhat Court no GP (govt pleader) is functioning. It (PIL) is for the smooth functioning of the justice delivery system,” he submitted.
Counsel for the legal remembrancer said 17 district magistrates had already forwarded lists of lawyers, while the remaining recommendations were under process and assured the court that the panels would be constituted soon.
The PIL alleged that despite the new govt taking office on May 9, no district-level panels had been appointed even after 50 days.