Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay ended his judicial assignment on Monday by spending barely 17 minutes in office and issuing only one order in connection with a case concerning a judge of East Midnapore court even as speculations swirled in political circles about his next course of action.

Justice Gangopadhyay had earlier announced he would resign on Tuesday.

While releasing 63 other partly heard cases which would now be heard by Justice Rajasekhar Matha, Justice Gangopadhyay picked up the particular item and said: "This is a serious issue, where the commissioner of vigilance has been asked to conduct a probe and place a report before the court. I am requesting the Chief Justice to monitor the case."

Since the case was related to corruption of an East Midnapore judge, the issue drew speculation that Justice Gangopadhyay would join the BJP and contest from Tamluk Lok Sabha seat in the district.

Multiple sources in the high court, who have known the judge for years, however, were sceptical, citing Justice Gangopadhyay's "liking for Marxism."

"Those who know him closely know that he has a liking for Marxism.... If he joins politics, he will surely associate himself with a secular party," said a source.

"Do not forget he was a senior standing counsel for the Left Front government before his selection as a judge," said a source, before recounting Justice Gangopadhyay's long association with Salil Ganguly, a former CPM leader.

However, others claimed his joining the saffron camp was just a matter of time.

"There is no point in guessing anymore.... He will divulge everything on Tuesday at 1.30pm," said a source close to the judge, who met some lawyers and several litigants in his room during the 17 minutes he spent there.

Senior advocate Kamalesh Bhattacharyya requested Justice Gangopadhyay to change his decision and continue to serve the common people.

In reply, the judge said: "I am seeking a larger platform to serve the poor people. I will be very much with them."

To reporters who questioned his next course of action, he declined to give a clear answer. "The political platform is obviously a larger platform to serve the poor people of the country," he signed off.