North Bengal needs a permanent High Court Bench and better courts, says Darjeeling MP Raju Bista

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista met with Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on July 23 to raise several long-standing concerns related to the region's judicial infrastructure. He made an appeal for the establishment of a Permanent Bench of the Calcutta High Court in the Darjeeling–Siliguri–Jalpaiguri region.

Bista said that this step would benefit the nearly three crore people living in North Bengal, including those from the Darjeeling hills, Siliguri, Terai and Dooars. At present, litigants from this vast region must travel long distances to access the Calcutta High Court, which causes both financial and emotional hardship.

“Our region sees over 15,000 pending cases every year. A local High Court bench would help in faster disposal of cases and ensure timely justice,” Bista said, while also underlining the need for setting up tax tribunals and fast-track courts to handle commercial and civil matters more efficiently.

He also raised serious concerns over the dilapidated condition of court infrastructure in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. According to Bista, these courts haven’t seen any significant upgrades in decades. The lack of space, outdated facilities, and poor working conditions have contributed to delays in delivering justice. He stressed the importance of modern, well-equipped court buildings that can support the smooth functioning of the judicial system.

The MP has also been pushing for the upgradation of the Siliguri Court Campus, especially in light of the town’s growing population. Despite consistent efforts since 2022, Bista claimed that the West Bengal State Government has not cooperated, stalling the development of this crucial infrastructure. He requested the Union Minister to intervene and take necessary steps to speed up the project.

Moreover, Bista brought attention to the plight of over 10,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the region. He requested the formation of judicial resolution panels and special fast-track courts to handle commercial disputes, many of which currently take years to resolve. He warned that prolonged litigation is forcing many small businesses to shut down, affecting livelihoods and the local economy.

“These changes are not just about buildings and benches. They are about justice, fairness, and dignity for our people,” Bista said. “I hope the central government takes strong steps to bring justice closer to the people of North Bengal.”

Bista, who is also the National Spokesperson of the BJP, said that he will continue to follow up on these demands until meaningful progress is made. The people of North Bengal, he added, deserve a judicial system that is fair, timely and accessible.