Kishore Datta has resigned from his position as Advocate General of West Bengal, effective November 8, 2023. He submitted his resignation to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose.
Datta’s resignation follows a series of disagreements with the state government, particularly concerning the handling of cases related to alleged irregularities in recruitment processes – specifically teacher recruitment scams. Sources indicate he was increasingly uncomfortable with the government’s approach to defending these cases and felt his advice was not being heeded.
He reportedly expressed his reservations regarding the state’s legal strategies in the ongoing investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Specifically, he disagreed with the government’s attempts to shield individuals implicated in the scams.
Prior to his resignation, Datta had requested to be relieved of his duties on multiple occasions, but these requests were not initially accepted. The final decision to resign came after a recent meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee where their differences remained unresolved.
Datta was appointed Advocate General in May 2022, succeeding Snehangshu Bhattacharyya. He is a senior advocate with a distinguished legal career, having previously served as a judge of the Calcutta High Court. His resignation marks a significant development in the legal landscape of West Bengal, particularly given the sensitive nature of the cases he was involved in.
The state government has yet to announce a successor. The timing of the resignation is notable, coinciding with heightened scrutiny of the recruitment scams and ongoing legal battles. His departure is expected to influence the state’s defense strategy in these crucial cases. The Governor has accepted his resignation and thanked him for his services.
