West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directly appealed to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant to protect the Constitution and democracy from any threat. He said that the investigating agencies are deliberately trying to defame the citizens and the media is conducting the trial even before the decision of the case, which tarnishes the image of the people.
Mamta appealed in the presence of CJI Surya Kant
Mamata Banerjee made this appeal at a program in Jalpaiguri on 17 January 2026, where CJI Surya Kant himself was present. Addressing the CJI, Mamata Banerjee said, ‘I request the CJI and all the judges that our Constitution should be saved from any disaster, our democracy should be safe. Our security, history, geography and borders should also be protected. Media should not go to trial before the case is finalised. It has become a trend to defame people. Please ensure that agencies do not deliberately try to defame citizens. I am not saying this for myself, but I am saying this to save democracy, to save the people, to save the judiciary, to save the country and to save the Constitution. We are under your protection. You are the guardian of the Constitution. There is no one above you.
Mamata Banerjee emphasized that judiciary, citizens, constitution and media are the four important pillars. He also talked about helping new junior lawyers who are struggling and not getting benefits.
CJI Surya Kant praised Bengal government
The event was the inauguration of the new building of Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench, the construction of which started in 2019. Earlier, people of this area had to travel 600 km to Kolkata for the High Court. The building is spread over 40.08 acres and was built at a cost of more than Rs 500 crore. This is a symbol of judicial decentralization.
CJI Surya Kant praised this initiative of Calcutta High Court and the state government. He said that it is a ‘beautiful combination of tradition and digital speed of the 21st century’. He described the honesty of judges as the foundation of justice.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal was also present on this occasion. He talked about the Centre’s e-court project, in which Rs 7,210 crore has been spent.
Case of ED and Bengal government in Supreme Court
This appeal has come at a time when there is tension between Mamata Banerjee and the central government. Recently, ED had raided TMC-affiliated political consultancy firm I-PAC, in which Mamata Banerjee intervened and took away the documents. ED has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, in which Mamata and the state police are accused of obstructing the investigation. The Supreme Court has described this matter as serious and has issued a notice. Mamta says that the agencies are being used for political purposes, especially before the 2026 assembly elections.
