New Gauhati High Court Benches to Enhance Justice Access in Assam
Establishment of New High Court Benches
Assam Law Minister Susanta Borgohain before the proceedings of the state Budget Session on Monday (Photo: @borgohainSBG/X)
Guwahati, July 6: On Monday, Assam's Law Minister Susanta Borgohain revealed in the Assembly that new benches of the Gauhati High Court will be set up in Dibrugarh and Barak Valley. This initiative aims to enhance access to justice for individuals in Upper Assam and the southern parts of the state.
The introduction of these benches is anticipated to facilitate easier access to judicial services, reduce travel times and legal costs, expedite case resolutions, and bolster the judicial framework in both areas.
However, Borgohain did not provide a specific timeline for the establishment of these benches or details regarding their jurisdiction and operational guidelines.
The Gauhati High Court acts as the common High Court for Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh. In addition to its main seat in Guwahati, it already operates permanent benches in several northeastern states.
The proposed Dibrugarh bench is expected to greatly assist litigants from Upper Assam by making judicial services more accessible and lessening reliance on the main seat in Guwahati.
This announcement also responds to a long-standing request from Barak Valley, where lawyers, political groups, civil society organizations, and residents have been advocating for a permanent High Court bench for many years.
The announcement coincides with renewed efforts by various organizations in Barak Valley to push for a permanent High Court bench.
The High Court Bench Establishment Demand Implementation Committee recently stated that the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court has agreed to meet with a 12-member delegation on July 16 to discuss their proposals regarding this matter.
During a press conference in Silchar in May, advocate Dhruvakumar Saha mentioned that the delegation would present comprehensive legal arguments, public concerns, and supporting documents to the Chief Justice in favor of their long-standing request.
Earlier in May, the Cachar district unit of the High Court Bench Demand Implementation Committee submitted a 112-page memorandum to the Chief Justice, urging immediate reconsideration of establishing a permanent Gauhati High Court bench in Barak Valley.