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Synopsis

On Monday, retiring Calcutta High Court judge Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash attributed his courage, patriotism, and upright personality to his long-standing association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Justice Dash stated, "I have been associated with the RSS since childhood, and it has taught me to be courageous, upright, to view everyone equally, and, above all, instilled a sense of patriotism and commitment to my work. I must admit here that I was and I am a member of the RSS.”

He further expressed his readiness to assist the RSS if called upon. "To the distaste of some persons, I must admit here that I was and I am a member of the RSS," he said in front of his colleagues and members of the bar.

Moreover, Justice Dash firmly stated, "Because I have not done anything wrong in my life, I have the courage to say I belong to the organisation, because that is also not wrong. If I am a good person, I cannot belong to a bad organisation.”

He clarified that despite his long-standing connection, he had distanced himself from the RSS for 37 years due to his judicial responsibilities. "I have never used my membership for career advancement because it is against the organisation's principles. I treated everyone equally, regardless of their political affiliations," he asserted. Justice Dash highlighted that his judicial philosophy was guided by empathy and the principle that "while the law can be bent to do justice, justice cannot be bent to suit the law.”

Notably, during his tenure, Justice Dash faced controversy for being part of a bench that issued a judgment outlining conduct codes for adolescent girls to 'control their sexual urges.’

About Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash :

Born in 1962 in Sonepur, Odisha, Justice Dash pursued his early education in Ullunda and continued his higher studies in Dhenkanal and Bhubaneswar, obtaining his law degree in 1985 from Cuttack. He started his legal career in 1986 and served as an additional standing counsel for the state government from 1992 to 1994.

In February 1999, he joined the Orissa Superior Judicial Service (Senior Branch) and was appointed as an additional judge of the Orissa High Court in October 2009. He was transferred to the Calcutta High Court on June 20, 2022.