West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to safeguard the Constitution, democracy, and judiciary, while expressing concern over alleged misuse of investigative agencies and calling for an end to media trials before judicial verdicts.
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JALPAIGURI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday called upon the judiciary to safeguard the Constitution, democracy, and the rule of law, expressing concern over what she described as growing threats to democratic institutions in the country.
Speaking at the inauguration of a new building of the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court, Banerjee addressed Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, who was present at the event, and emphasized the judiciary’s role as the guardian of constitutional values.
Addressing Justice Kant, the Chief Minister said the people of India look to the judiciary for protection against injustice and misuse of power.
“Please protect the Constitution, democracy, judiciary, history, and geography of the country from disaster,”
Banerjee said.
She added that the judiciary serves as a legal guardian for citizens and must ensure that innocent people are not unfairly targeted.
“You are the guardian of our Constitution. We are under your legal guardianship. Please protect the people,”
she said.
Mamata Banerjee also raised concerns about what she termed the wrongful targeting of individuals by investigative agencies, urging judicial intervention to prevent harassment and misuse of authority.
While she did not name any specific agency or case, her remarks come amid ongoing political tensions between the West Bengal government and central agencies.
The Chief Minister further criticized the growing trend of media trials, stating that public judgment of cases before judicial disposal undermines the justice system.
“These days, there is a trend of media trials before disposal of cases. This must stop,”
Banerjee said.
Earlier, the Supreme Court issued notice to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, and others on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking a CBI inquiry into alleged obstruction of its searches at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain.
A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul Pancholi observed that the ED’s petition raises serious concerns regarding interference in investigations conducted by central agencies. The Court noted that unresolved issues of this nature could undermine the rule of law and potentially lead to lawlessness.
The ED has alleged that Banerjee, accompanied by senior police officials, disrupted the searches and removed documents and electronic devices. The agency has sought directions for the return and preservation of the alleged evidence, along with a stay on FIRs lodged by West Bengal Police against ED officers.
The apex court stayed the FIRs, directed preservation of CCTV footage and digital records, and asked the respondents to file counter-affidavits within two weeks. The matter has been listed for further hearing on February 3, 2026.
Banerjee has denied the allegations, maintaining that she entered the premises in her capacity as TMC chairperson to safeguard confidential party data. The West Bengal government has opposed the maintainability of the ED’s plea, arguing that similar proceedings are pending before the Calcutta High Court.
