The three leaders had allegedly attacked the HC’s judgment on the March 14, 2007 police firing at Nandigram at a party rally. A division bench of Chief Justice S S Nijjar and Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose fixed March 17 as the date for the next hearing.

In a public meeting on November 17, 2007, the day after the HC held that the police firing was “unconstitutional and illegal”, Bose had reportedly said: “We feel the court has interfered in the state’s domain. If the High Court has the last word on everything, what is the use of having a Legislature and an Executive? Will the court decide the government’s course of action?” Konar and Chakraborty, too, had reportedly attacked the judiciary.

Following this, the Bar Association and Bar Library Club of the High Court had moved a contempt petition against the three leaders alleging the remarks made by them amounted to contempt of court.

In January 2008, the Calcutta High Court had directed that notices be served to the three leaders. On February 8, 2008 the High Court had directed the three leaders to file affidavits on the contempt petition.

In compliance with the court order, the three leaders had appeared in court on August 5, 2008 and were subsequently exempted from making a personal appearance.