Overview
- Speaking at the inauguration, Banerjee asked Chief Justice Surya Kant to shield citizens from being wrongly targeted by agencies and called for an end to pre-verdict media trials.
- The permanent building of the Calcutta High Court’s Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench was inaugurated with the CJI, Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in attendance.
- The state-built complex spans about 40 acres with six courtrooms and residential facilities, and it is intended to ease access to justice for residents of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar.
- Banerjee said West Bengal is running 88 fast-track courts despite halted central funding, including 52 for women, seven POCSO courts, four labour courts and 19 human rights courts.
- Her remarks came in the context of recent ED actions that reached the Supreme Court, which stayed FIRs against ED officials and noted disturbances in related Calcutta High Court proceedings.