Will the Calcutta HC's Ultimatum Prompt Action from the Bengal Government on Court Infrastructure Funds?
Synopsis
The Calcutta High Court is putting pressure on the West Bengal government to fulfill its financial obligations for court infrastructure. With a warning of potential account seizures, the court's actions highlight the critical need for timely funding to support judicial development in the state. Will the government respond before it's too late?
Key Takeaways
Calcutta High Court demands immediate action from West Bengal government .
Warning of account seizures by the Reserve Bank of India .
State officials required to attend the next hearing.
Long-standing issues with unfulfilled funding for judicial infrastructure.
Judicial funding is a governmental responsibility, not a charitable act.
Calcutta High Court has issued an ultimatum to the West Bengal government regarding the disbursement of funds for the infrastructure enhancement of both the high court and lower courts in the state.
Kolkata, Oct 27 (NationPress): A division bench comprising Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Md. Shabbar Rashidi has urged the state government to take immediate action on this matter.
The bench further warned that failure to comply could lead to the seizure of the state’s accounts by the Reserve Bank of India. “We will request the RBI to seize that account,” Justice Basak was overheard stating to the counsel representing the state.
The court has mandated the presence of Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and additional Chief Secretary of the finance department, Prabhat Kumar Mishra, at the next hearing scheduled for November 10.
Additionally, the bench expressed concern over the state's neglect in settling BSNL bills for the high court over the past three years. “What will happen if BSNL disconnects the services? Isn’t it the state’s obligation to allocate funds for the high court's development?” Justice Basak questioned.
He further highlighted that if this is the condition of the Calcutta High Court, the situation in lower courts is likely even worse.
Last month, this same division bench reiterated that the responsibility of funding the infrastructure development of both the high court and lower courts lies with the state government.
It was noted that a mere fraction of the state budget is dedicated to judicial infrastructure, and there has been a noticeable reluctance on the part of the state to timely release even this limited amount.
The court emphasized that these payments should not be perceived as acts of charity, as funding for court infrastructure is a fundamental duty of the state government.
IANS
Point of View
The actions of the Calcutta High Court underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the judiciary in securing necessary funding from state governments. It is imperative for the administration to prioritize judicial infrastructure to ensure effective legal proceedings and uphold the rule of law.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ultimatum given by the Calcutta High Court?
The Calcutta High Court has demanded that the West Bengal government release funds for court infrastructure development, warning of potential account seizures by the Reserve Bank of India.
Who are the judges involved in this case?
The division bench is composed of Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Md. Shabbar Rashidi.
When is the next hearing scheduled?
The next hearing is scheduled for November 10, where key state officials are required to be present.
What financial responsibilities does the state government have?
The state government is responsible for allocating funds for the infrastructure development of both the Calcutta High Court and lower courts in the state.
Why is this issue significant?
This issue highlights the critical need for timely funding to support the judicial system, ensuring the effective functioning of legal proceedings in West Bengal.
