During the inauguration of the permanent building for the Calcutta High Court's circuit bench in Jalpaiguri on January 17, 2026, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a direct appeal to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. She urged the judiciary to protect the Constitution, democracy, and the people of India from what she described as wrongful targeting by central agencies. Banerjee highlighted the judiciary's role as the 'guardian of the Constitution' and emphasized that people are under its legal guardianship. Her address also included concerns about the growing trend of 'media trials' and their potential to malign individuals before case disposal. Additionally, the Chief Minister alleged that the Central government had stopped funds to West Bengal, impacting various state projects. The event, which also saw the presence of Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and other senior judges, quickly gained political overtones due to Banerjee's strong statements. Justice Surya Kant, who was appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, 2025, presided over the ceremony. This news highlights ongoing tensions between the state government in West Bengal and the Central government, often involving central investigative agencies.