‘You are guardians of Constitution’: CM Mamata Banerjee urges CJI to save democracy, stop agencies from defaming citizens

JALPAIGURI/KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday made a fervent appeal to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to safeguard democracy and ensure that agencies do not defame citizens. Nobody is above you, Banerjee told the CJI during the inauguration of the Jalpaiguri circuit bench of Calcutta High Court. The programme was also attended by Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

I request the Chief Justice of India and all judges to ensure that our Constitution is protected from disaster and that our democracy is safeguarded. Our safety, security, history, geography, and boundaries must all be protected. Media should not conduct trials before cases are finalised - this has become a trend to malign people. Please ensure that agencies do not deliberately attempt to defame citizens. I am not speaking for myself - I am saying this to save democracy, save people, save judiciary, save the country, and save the Consti-tution. We are under your custody. You are the guardi-ans of the Constitution, CM Banerjee said.

In his address, CJI Kant appreciated the vision of Calcutta High Court and the state govt in setting up a circuit bench in Jalpaiguri in 2019, before which people of the region had to travel 600 km to Kolkata in pursuit of justice. Today it has got its own home. This building is designed as a sophisticated synthesis of tradition and 21st century digital agility and stands as a testimony to judicial decentralisation, he said.

The CJI also commended the state for being a pillar of strength and support and ensuring that such infrastructure was made available to the people of the region.

“The apex of our judicial system can only be as strong as the foundation laid at the grassroots level,” he said.

Union law minister Meghwal emphasised the Centre’s e-court project for which Rs 7,210 crore has been allocated.

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