Calcutta High Court Observes Silence For Pahalgam Victims; Tribute Resonates Across West Bengal Judiciary

On Thursday, the Calcutta High Court paid tribute to the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, by observing a two-minute silence at noon, following a directive from Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam.

A notice issued by the Registrar General of the court informed all concerned about the Chief Justice’s decision.

The tribute was not limited to the principal bench alone; circuit benches at Jalpaiguri in West Bengal and Port Blair in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands also joined in the observance.

In line with the same notice, district and sub-divisional courts across West Bengal, along with the Judicial Academy, held the two-minute silence simultaneously.

Political Acknowledgement & Personal Commitment

West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari expressed his respect for the gesture, widely appreciating the move.

“I salute the Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta’s noble decision to observe a two-minute silence today at 12 noon, honouring the brave souls who lost their lives in the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. A moment of remembrance and a solemn tribute for our fellow Citizens. Jai Hind,” Adhikari stated in a public message.

Later, while speaking to the media, Adhikari also extended a personal gesture of support, announcing his willingness to take responsibility for the upbringing of three-year-old Hridan – the son of Bitan Adhikari, one of the three tourists from West Bengal, killed in the attack.

Bitan Adhikari, a resident of Patuli on the southern fringes of Kolkata, had been living in Florida, USA, with his wife Sohini and son Hridan for work-related reasons.

The family had returned to their Patuli home on 8 April and travelled to Kashmir for a holiday on 16 April. They were due to return to Kolkata next week.

Tragically, the terrorists singled out Bitan, one of the Hindu men targeted during the Pahalgam massacre on Tuesday, and killed him in full view of his wife and young child.

Sohini and Hridan returned to Kolkata on Wednesday evening.

Also Read: Supreme Court Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack; Calls It ‘Brutal & Senseless’