Chief Justice Thanks Mamata Banerjee – Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T. S. Sivagnanam expressed appreciation to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for sanctioning essential funds that enabled the construction and improvement of court infrastructure across several districts in West Bengal. The acknowledgment came during the inauguration of a newly built six-storey court complex in Howrah, marking a major step in addressing the infrastructure needs of the state’s judicial system.
Inauguration of Howrah Court Complex
Speaking at the event, Chief Justice Sivagnanam praised the state government’s responsiveness in facilitating new projects and renovations. The newly inaugurated building in Howrah is expected to ease long-standing space constraints and streamline judicial processes in one of Bengal’s busiest legal hubs.
Law Minister Moloy Ghatak, present at the event, elaborated on the various court projects undertaken since 2011, including the construction of new facilities in Alipurduar (₹64 crore), Jhargram (₹72 crore), and Asansol (₹12 crore). He emphasized that the Howrah building, constructed with a modern layout, will help accommodate an increasing caseload and offer a more organized environment for both legal professionals and the public.
Judiciary-State Collaboration
The event underscored growing collaboration between the judiciary and state government on issues concerning infrastructure and access to justice. Chief Justice Sivagnanam noted that the sanctioned funds had enabled completion of several long-pending district-level court buildings, adding that such gestures reflect an understanding of the crucial role of judiciary in public service.
This recognition comes after the High Court had previously raised concerns over resource shortages in district courts. In early 2025, the judiciary had flagged alarming issues, including the lack of basic office supplies in some courts, prompting the state to expedite fund releases.
Chief Justice Thanks Mamata Banerjee: Challenges in District Courts
Many district courts in West Bengal have historically operated under difficult conditions. Reports earlier this year highlighted how several judges and court staff lacked essential infrastructure like adequate space, stationery, and digital tools. In some areas, legal proceedings were being delayed due to the absence of functional courtrooms or record-keeping systems.
Judicial officers had raised concerns over delays in disbursing operational budgets, leading to mounting frustration among advocates and litigants. The recent funding and new constructions aim to mitigate these issues.
Response from the Legal Community
Bar associations across the state welcomed the Chief Justice’s remarks, calling it a positive step toward long-awaited improvements. Advocates practicing in Howrah and other newly upgraded courts expressed hope that better infrastructure would help reduce pendency and ease procedural delays.
Legal experts, however, cautioned that infrastructure alone may not resolve systemic delays unless coupled with investment in human resources, digitization, and training of judicial staff.
Government’s Long-Term Commitments
Minister Moloy Ghatak confirmed that the government remains committed to continuing infrastructure development across other regions where judicial infrastructure remains substandard. He reiterated that modernizing court buildings was part of the administration’s broader plan to promote equitable justice access across urban and rural Bengal.
Apart from physical infrastructure, the government is also considering proposals to upgrade technological support in courts—including video conferencing tools, e-filing systems, and digital case tracking.
What Lies Ahead
Judiciary officials stressed that regular audits and coordination between court administrations and the state’s public works department would be crucial to sustain the momentum.
Future focus areas include:
- Expanding similar infrastructure in remaining districts with space or staffing shortages
- Digital transformation of case records and proceedings
- Improved amenities for litigants, women, and differently abled individuals
- Creation of mediation centres and legal aid cells within court campuses
These initiatives are in alignment with national judicial reforms, such as the eCourts Mission Mode Project under the Ministry of Law and Justice (https://ecourts.gov.in).
External Links for Context
- Calcutta HC Chief Justice praises CM Mamata for sanctioning funds – TOI
- LIVELAW Report on Infrastructure Crisis in Bengal’s District Courts
- eCourts Project – Government of India
- Ministry of Law and Justice – India
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