West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee officially opened the permanent building for the Calcutta High Court's circuit bench in Jalpaiguri on Friday. The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, senior judges, and state officials including Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb.
CM's Appeal to the Judiciary
During her address, Mamata Banerjee made a strong appeal to the judiciary. She urged Chief Justice Surya Kant and all judges to act as guardians of the Constitution. Banerjee emphasized the need to protect democracy and citizens from potential disasters.
"My request to the Chief Justice and all judges is clear," she stated. "Please ensure our Constitution remains safe from harm. Our democracy must be shielded from danger. Our security, history, geography, and boundaries all require protection."
Direct Message to CJI Surya Kant
The Bengal CM specifically addressed CJI Surya Kant, who attended the event. She described his position as the "guardian of the Constitution" and called for his intervention to protect people she claimed were being wrongly targeted by investigative agencies.
"Please protect the people," Banerjee implored. "Save democracy, save the people, save the country, save the Constitution. We are under your legal custody. You are the Constitution's guardians. No one stands above the judiciary."
New Court Facility Details
The newly inaugurated permanent building sits on a 40-acre plot developed by the state government. This long-awaited project will serve as a circuit bench of the Calcutta High Court for North Bengal.
The facility promises easier access to justice for residents of several districts including:
- Darjeeling
- Kalimpong
- Jalpaiguri
- Alipurduar
- Cooch Behar
Fast Track Courts Expansion
Banerjee also announced the continuation of 88 fast track courts across Bengal. She provided a breakdown of these specialized courts:
- 52 courts dedicated to women's cases
- 7 courts specifically for POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases
- Remaining courts for other urgent matters
The Chief Minister confirmed these projects are currently underway as part of the state's judicial infrastructure development.
The inauguration marks a significant step in improving judicial accessibility for North Bengal's population. Legal experts anticipate the new facility will reduce travel burdens and case backlogs in the region.
