In a landmark development for the judicial infrastructure of North Bengal, the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court is set to receive its permanent home. The inauguration ceremony for the new, dedicated court building will be held on January 17, with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant presiding over the event.
A Long-Awaited Permanent Address
The circuit bench, which has been functioning since March 2019, currently operates from the Jalpaiguri Zilla Parishad Dak Bungalow on Station Feeder Road. This temporary arrangement has been a point of contention for the local Bar, as judges typically hear cases only two or three times a month in Jalpaiguri. The new, permanent complex in Paharpur marks the culmination of a long-standing demand for proper infrastructure.
The inauguration will be a significant event, attended by five other Supreme Court judges and the chief justices of at least five high courts besides Calcutta. While the building will be inaugurated on January 17, court officials have indicated that it will become fully functional only by March, with the shifting process taking place in the interim period.
Expanding Jurisdiction and Infrastructure
The new court complex is poised to significantly enhance judicial reach in the region. Initially catering to litigants from Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling districts, the permanent bench will soon extend its jurisdiction. Once operational, it will start accepting cases from Malda, North Dinajpur, and South Dinajpur districts as well.
Arun Kumar Sarkar, the senior government pleader at the bench, highlighted the impact of this expansion. "The inclusion of these districts within the jurisdiction of the circuit bench will bring the judiciary closer home for many more people," he said, noting that it would likely double the number of cases before the bench. Currently, cases from these districts are filed directly at the principal bench in Kolkata.
The need for this expansion is underscored by the current caseload. According to the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), 4,419 cases are pending before the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench, comprising 3,080 civil and 1,339 criminal matters. The bench disposed of a total of 5,323 cases in 2025.
State-of-the-Art Judicial Complex
Constructed on a sprawling 40-acre plot in Paharpur, off NH 27, the permanent complex is a major infrastructure project. The land was transferred to the judiciary by the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority back in 2007. The architectural design of the five-storey main court building pays homage to the iconic main building of the Calcutta High Court.
The complex boasts extensive facilities designed to support a robust judicial apparatus:
- A capacity for sixteen benches (seven single-judge and eight division benches) to function simultaneously.
- Residential quarters including a bungalow for the High Court Chief Justice and ten more for High Court judges.
- A 400-seat auditorium for conferences and events.
- A swimming pool within the complex premises.
The circuit bench typically operates with one division bench and two single-judge benches at any given time, though the judge count varies. The new infrastructure will provide the stability needed for more consistent functioning. Ultimately, the goal is to convert this circuit bench into a full-fledged permanent bench, operating like any other regular bench of the High Court, thereby strengthening the delivery of justice in North Bengal.
