Ministers inspect dilapidated court complex; construction to begin soon, says law minister
Siliguri: The long‑standing demand of the local bar for a new court complex is set to move forward after the State Minister of Law, Biraj Biswas, assured on Friday that construction of a new building for the Siliguri Sub‑Divisional Court will begin shortly. The minister made the statement during an inspection of the existing court premises, which lawyers describe as dilapidated and inadequate to accommodate legal staff and clerks.
The inspection was accompanied by State Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh, who said the visit formed part of a set of proposals he has placed before the Chief Minister aimed at strengthening legal and judicial infrastructure in North Bengal.
“Political parties that were in power over the past three to four decades neglected North Bengal. The construction of this court building should have been completed long ago but it was delayed for political reasons. However, the work will now begin. A modern building will be constructed with facilities not only for lawyers but also for the consumers. We will soon resolve the administrative issues that have held up the work,” said Biraj Biswas.
Lawyers at the Siliguri court complex have been pressing for a new building since the Left Front era, according to accounts from the premises. The present structure, they say, is inadequate in size and poor in condition, leaving insufficient space for lawyers, law clerks and other court staff. The demand for improved court infrastructure has been raised repeatedly over successive administrations; during the previous Siliguri Municipal Corporation board under then‑Mayor Gautam Deb, assurances were also given but the project did not materialise before the government changed.
- Immediate assurance: Construction of a new sub‑divisional court building to commence soon, Minister of State for Law said.
- Companion proposals: Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh listed four priority legal‑sector initiatives he has submitted to the Chief Minister.
- Bar's demand: Lawyers seek a modern court complex with adequate facilities, and a multi‑level parking facility was also requested during the inspection.
The four specific legal and administrative measures presented to the Chief Minister were outlined by Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh during the visit. They include establishing a Central Law University in North Bengal, constructing a new building for the Siliguri Sub‑Divisional Court, setting up a GST Tribunal for the region, and taking prompt steps to resolve MSME disputes. These proposals reflect wider concerns about access to legal education, specialised dispute resolution and infrastructural justice delivery in the north Bengal plains.
| Proposal | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Central Law University in North Bengal | Enhance legal education and regional access to professional courses |
| New sub‑divisional court building, Siliguri | Replace dilapidated structure; provide modern facilities for lawyers and litigants |
| GST Tribunal in North Bengal | Provide local resolution of goods and services tax disputes |
| Prompt steps to resolve MSME disputes | Improve dispute resolution timelines for small and medium enterprises |
Legal practitioners at the Siliguri complex welcomed the ministerial assurance but underlined the need for clear timelines and administrative follow‑through. They noted that promises have been made in the past without tangible progress, and urged the state to remove the administrative hurdles that have previously stalled the project.
The promise to begin construction marks a potential shift in priority for civic infrastructure in Siliguri, a city that serves as a gateway to the north‑eastern states and the foothills of the Himalaya. If implemented, a new court building and related judicial institutions would ease pressure on existing facilities and reduce travel for litigants currently required to approach distant tribunals for specialised matters.
Officials at the court and representatives of the local bar are expected to follow up with the concerned departments to determine the fund allocation, site plan and implementation schedule. For citizens and the legal community in and around Siliguri, the assurance by the state law minister will be closely watched for concrete action on the ground.
