Sheriff of Calcutta

The Sheriff of Kolkata is an apolitical titular position of authority bestowed for one year on a prominent citizen of Kolkata (Calcutta). The Sheriff has an office and staff in Calcutta High Court but does not have executive powers. In the order of precedence, the Sheriff ranks just below the Mayor and presides over various city-related functions and conferences and is in charge of receiving foreign guests of the government. Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata are the only cities in India to maintain the post of Sheriff.

The Calcutta Shrievalty was established by a Royal Charter issued by King George III of England on March 26, 1774 which created the Supreme Court at Fort William in Calcutta. The charter stipulated that the sheriff would be appointed by the Governor-General in Council from a list of three residents recommended by the Supreme Court in a similar manner to the system of High Sheriffs in England.

In the early years the Sheriff of Calcutta was the executive arm of the judiciary and responsible for the provision of jurors, the safe custody of prisoners and the siezure of goods. From the mid 1800s the power of the position was gradually reduced until it became today's ceremonial post.

Source: The Sheriff of Calcutta

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