Mamata Banerjee urges CJI Surya Kant to ‘protect people’ amid Centre–state row over agency action

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday made a public appeal to Surya Kant, urging him to “protect the people” and safeguard constitutional institutions amid an ongoing confrontation between her government and the Centre over central agency actions.

Speaking at the inauguration of a building at the Calcutta High Court’s Jalpaiguri circuit bench, Banerjee described the Chief Justice as the guardian of the Constitution and called for protection of democracy, the judiciary and citizens from what she alleged were unjust actions by investigative agencies.

Without naming any authority directly, the chief minister referred to what she described as a growing trend of individuals being targeted by “agencies” and raised concerns over what she termed media trials prior to judicial outcomes. She said such practices undermine public trust and should be discouraged.

The remarks come against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the Trinamool Congress government and central investigative bodies, particularly the Enforcement Directorate, whose actions in West Bengal are currently under judicial scrutiny.

Earlier this week, proceedings related to agency operations in the state reached the Supreme Court of India, where concerns were raised over interference and law-and-order situations during enforcement actions. The court subsequently stayed certain police cases linked to the matter, observing that the issue raised serious constitutional questions.

Banerjee has repeatedly accused the Centre of misusing federal agencies for political purposes, especially ahead of elections, while the Union government has denied the allegations and maintained that agencies are acting within the framework of law. The Chief Justice, who was present at the event, did not make any public remarks in response to the appeal.