Mamata Banerjee’s counsel throws a tantrum in court during ED battle, demands that ASG SV Raju refer to her as ‘multiterm CM’ instead of her name

Mamata counsel advocate Menaka Guruswamy (Image via X)

During the hearing at the Calcutta High Court on 14th January, courtroom proceedings took a tense turn when arguments linked to Enforcement Directorate raids on the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) led to a clash between the ED and the ruling Trinamool Congress advocates over the way the chief minister was addressed.

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for TMC, objected strongly when Additional Solicitor General SV Raju referred to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as “Ms Banerjee.” Guruswamy insisted that Banerjee should be addressed by her position and even demanded that she be referred to as a “multiterm Chief Minister,” saying this was about showing proper respect in court.

However, the way the objection was raised drew wider attention. Guruswamy shouted at SV Raju and repeatedly told him to “mute yourself” while he was trying to present his arguments calmly. While stressing that respect must be shown to the chief minister, her own conduct towards another lawyer in open court surprised many; such behaviour is not expected from a senior advocate.

The hearing also revisited Mamata Banerjee’s role in this case. The ED maintained that despite being the chief minister, she had intervened during the agency’s investigation, a point that continues to be central to the legal and political fight between the two sides.

The verbal clash has since become a major talking point, with the courtroom drama adding another layer to an already charged battle between the ED and the West Bengal government.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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