Push for Permanent Gauhati High Court Bench in Barak Valley Gains Traction
Growing Support for High Court Bench in Barak Valley
Committee leaders emphasized that the lack of a High Court Bench in the valley continues to pose challenges for litigants.
Silchar, May 29: The longstanding request for a permanent Gauhati High Court Bench in Barak Valley has gained renewed attention, as the Chief Justice has agreed to meet with representatives from the High Court Bench Establishment Demand Implementation Committee on July 16 at 4:45 PM.
During a press conference in Silchar, advocate Dhruvakumar Saha announced that a 12-member team will present comprehensive facts, legal arguments, public concerns, and supporting documents to the Chief Justice.
Saha noted that this initiative, which began in the 1980s under the Silchar District Bar Association, has now transcended the legal community.
“This movement is no longer just for lawyers; it has transformed into a public campaign throughout Barak Valley and South Assam,” he stated.
Leaders of the committee pointed out that the absence of a High Court Bench in the region imposes significant burdens on litigants, particularly those from remote areas who must travel to Guwahati for court matters.
They argued that the demand is based on the principles of judicial decentralization, administrative efficiency, and equitable access to justice.
Advocate Dharmananda Deb, an executive member, announced that to enhance public engagement, the committee will initiate a signature campaign across Barak Valley and South Assam starting May 30.
The campaign will kick off at the Kachakanti Temple in Udharbond, aiming to gather at least 15,000 signatures from each Assembly constituency by July 16.
Additionally, the committee plans to present a detailed “Vision Document” outlining the geographical, infrastructural, administrative, and public interest reasons for establishing the Bench.
Signature collection events are also set for June 6 at Badarpur NC College and June 14 at the Pailapool Multipurpose Hall in Lakhipur.
Advocate Shantanu Nayek mentioned that Dima Hasao has joined the movement for the first time, expanding the regional support for this cause.
The committee also noted that the Governor has referred the matter to the High Court for its opinion, which they view as a positive administrative step.
Despite a previous rejection of the demand in 2014, the committee believes that a Supreme Court observation in 2025 has opened the possibility for reconsideration of such requests in the interest of the public.
According to the committee, over 110 organizations have pledged their support for the movement.