Intensified Protests Against Gauhati High Court Relocation Plan

Protests Erupt Over High Court Relocation

Guwahati, Jan 6: The opposition to the planned relocation of the Gauhati High Court to Amingaon has escalated, with a group of lawyers from the Lawyers’ Association, Guwahati, initiating an indefinite sit-in protest at the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court premises on Tuesday.

This protest is a direct response to the state government's decision to move the High Court complex from its current site in Guwahati to Rangmahal in Amingaon, located in North Guwahati.

Protesters argue that this relocation will significantly inconvenience advocates, litigants, court personnel, and the general public, potentially hindering access to justice.

They have also raised concerns regarding the decision-making process, claiming it lacked transparency and failed to involve key stakeholders.

The lawyers' association emphasized that the existing High Court complex is intricately linked to the city's legal, administrative, and public systems, and moving it without proper infrastructure and planning could disrupt the justice delivery framework.

Pradip Konwar, the association's president, stated during the protest that their demonstration also opposes the planned demolition of the current court building.

“The current court building is slated for demolition, which is why we are protesting. We have been informed of a temporary shift, but no definitive details have been provided regarding our new location. Sufficient land, rooms, and space must be allocated for all lawyers, computer assistants, and staff. The court is situated on government-allotted land, and no prior notice was given before the demolition decision,” Konwar explained.

The protesters insisted that any temporary or permanent relocation must guarantee adequate infrastructure, including chambers, courtrooms, and support facilities, to accommodate the numerous lawyers and legal staff associated with the court.

Reaffirming their demand for the Gauhati High Court to remain at its current location, the lawyers called on the government to engage in meaningful discussions with all stakeholders before advancing any demolition or relocation plans.

They also claimed that despite the ongoing protests for several days, their concerns have not been sufficiently addressed, prompting them to escalate their agitation.

This protest follows the announcement by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that the bhumi pujan for the new High Court complex in Amingaon is set for January 11.