Singur case: Tata Motors' counsel claims government counsel made personal attacks

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday witnessed moments of high drama during hearing in Singur case with Tata Motors' counsel refusing to depose over the alleged "personal attack" by a West Bengal government lawyer and the judge turning down Advocate General's plea to order a media gag on the day's proceedings.

At the start of the hearing, Tata Motors' counsel Samaraditya Pal alleged that Kalyan Bandopadhyay, the counsel for the West Bengal government, made personal attacks against him on a TV channel.

Pal said he was mentally disturbed and not in a position to depose as he could not prepare himself and felt like quitting the case.

Justice Saumitra Pal said that he was also embarrassed with the episode.

Bandopadhyay was not present in the court.

After the court re-assembled, Justice Pal called both Advocate General Anindya and Pal and spoke to them in private.

Mitra requested Justice Pal to order mediapersons present in the courtroom not to publicise the allegations and counter-allegations, which the judge refused.

Justice Saumitra Pal told the Advocate General that the media was just carrying out its duty.

The hearing will continue tomorrow.

The High Court is hearing the Tata Motors' writ petition challenging the Singur Land Development and Rehabilitation Act 2011.