The Calcutta High Court came down heavily on the West Bengal government for not allocating funds for the infrastructure of the state’s jails and lower courts.
The division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Md. Shabbar Rashidi questioned state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, who appeared virtually: “Why was no fund allocated even though a requisition was made for installing CCTV in the High Court Judge’s Chambers? Why was the order of December last year not yet implemented? There was a requisition of Rs 17.41 crore.”
Pant told the court: “I was told Rs 10.41 crore was released today and the remaining 7 crore will be released as we get funds. Sorry about any delay, corrective action will be taken.”
The bench, however, observed: “How is it that the state requires a year’s time to consider the allocation and who is the state to sit on the High Court’s request?” The court ordered that a report be filed on every pending request from the judiciary.
Stressing that the law requires the state to provide all funds necessary for running the judiciary, the bench noted: “All the projects of the lower courts and the High Court are running into roadblocks. This order regarding CCTV has not been implemented since December last year. It cannot be allowed to run continuously. There is something seriously amiss.”
Pant told the bench that the matter would get immediate attention. “I will check everything, there may be gaps. I will respond after enquiring,” he said. The bench directed the Chief Secretary to identify a point person in his department to whom the HC administration can directly communicate. “It is expected that everything is placed in front of you by this evening,” the court observed. The next hearing is scheduled for September 17.
In 2024, the Calcutta High Court had directed that virtual facilities be set up in lower courts and correctional homes for virtual testimony, and in police stations to enable virtual appearances. The High Court had submitted a plan with 55 projects pending.
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In August, the bench had asked the state to detail the extent of infrastructure developed. Justice Basak and Justice Rashidi had directed Pant to file an affidavit within two weeks on steps taken to meet the district courts’ needs. While the High Court administration submitted a detailed survey report within the deadline, the Chief Secretary did not file the affidavit, leading the court to summon him virtually. Pant told the bench he had “no knowledge” of the August order.
The division bench then gave him 24 hours to submit an affidavit by Thursday. A detailed report submitted by the Registrar General revealed the “dire” condition of video-conferencing facilities in district and sub-divisional courts. District judges reported they had not received any help from the state despite repeated requests for funds.
The report noted that although video-conferencing set-ups had been installed, there was no allocation for maintenance, no staff to operate the equipment, and poor internet connectivity in several areas, making virtual testimony impossible.