President accepts Soumitra Sen's resignation as Calcutta HC judge

The government took the unusual step of notifying the resignation of Justice Soumitra Sen of the Calcutta High Court, strengthening speculation that the impeachment proceedings against him in the Lok Sabha scheduled for tomorrow may be dropped, but there was no official confirmation of such a move.

Justice Sen's resignation after he had been impeached by the Rajya Sabha last month and just ahead of similar proceedings in the Lok Sabha has created a piquant situation for the government.

The predominant legal view is that the proceedings in the lower house have been rendered infructuous by the judge's resignation but some voices in the political spectrum still favour going ahead with the process.

In the normal course, such a notification is not required since the resignation of a constitutional authority is deemed to be accepted if it is in order.

"The Department of Justice has sent a notification for the assent of the President for acceptance of Justice Soumitra Sen's resignation which was signed after she arrived here from Hyderabad," official sources said.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar was being informed about the developments and she may consult various political parties before taking a final call prior to the meeting of the house tomorrow.