Bhupen Goswami

GUWAHATI :The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the function being organized to mark the completion of 75 years of the Gauhati High Court at Guwahati today (April 7, 2023). On the occasion, she launched a mobile app ‘Bhoroxa’ made for the safety of women and elderly people. Addressing the gathering, the President said that the Gauhati High Court holds a unique place in India’s judicial landscape.

After its inception in 1948, it had jurisdiction over seven states for more than six decades and still has jurisdiction over four states. It has established a distinct identity for itself by producing a number of legal luminaries. It has also received attention for delivering several landmark decisions. She expressed confidence that the Gauhati High Court would continue to serve the people in the same manner in the years to come. The President said that the North-Eastern Region is possibly the best example of how various communities have lived together historically. As a result, it has rich ethnic and linguistic diversity.

In such a region, institutions need to have a great deal of sensitivity and responsibility, as divergent traditions and laws govern the lives of the people of the region. The legislations applicable to different areas may vary, but the entire area is administered by a common High Court. She said that it is heartening to see that the Gauhati High Court continues to uphold the customary laws that have been in practice in some of the states under its jurisdiction. By respecting the sentiments of the indigenous people, this institution has helped enhance the ethos of peaceful coexistence in this region. Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today attended the platinum jubilee celebration of Gauhati High Court in the presence of President of India Smt.

Droupadi Murmu, Governor of Assam Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Justice of India Justice Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud and Union Law & Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju in a programme held in Guwahati. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma appreciated the role played by the Gauhati High Court as true guardian of human rights, protector of the constitution and promoter of our age-old democratic ethos. He said this apex court has been a major catalyst in empowering the citizens of the region to be well informed about their rights. He also lauded its contribution in creating a pedigree of legal luminaries and for its unique distinction as an institution of superior standards and lofty ideals. Stating that India has a glorious legal tradition, the Chief Minister said that the Gauhati High Court has, time and again, stood with the common people in their testing times and played out its role as their saviour. He further said that Gauhati High Court has a unique identity for being the common High Court for all the seven States of the Northeast for a longer span of its existence. He said that this Court has been dealing with the fascinating task of interpreting enacted laws as well as tribal laws and customs and is having judicial authority on subjects falling under the 6 th Schedule of the Constitution of India, which is unique to this region only.

He further said that this institution inspires enormous trust and confidence among the people. Referring to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s call for facilitating Ease of Justice, the Chief Minister informed that the Government of Assam has taken a decision for withdrawal of petty offence cases to bring down the pendency of cases. Cases punishable upto 3 years with or without fine and registered was taken into consideration for withdrawal barring the cases of heinous nature, he said adding that till February this year around 27 thousand such cases have been withdrawn and it is estimated that through this action around one lakh criminal cases will be disposed of which will reduce the burden in lower courts. Appreciating the rapid adoption of digital technologies by the Judiciary in the country during the Covid pandemic, which is now becoming a regular practice, the Chief Minister said that the Government of Assam is ready to extend all kinds of support required for its smooth implementation of digitization initiatives in the state judiciary.

He expressed commitment to create as many post as required in the lower judiciary with adequate infrastructure. He also informed that the state government has decided to create a new campus of Gauhati High Court, work for which will start within this year and sought support from the Union Law Minister in this endeavour. Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Justice Sandeep Mehta, Judges of Supreme Court of India, Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh High Court Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice of Telengana High Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, Judge of Gauhati High Court Justice Lansungkum Jamir, Minster of Law of Assam Government Shri Ranjit Kumar Dass, present and former Judges, lawyers, staff of Gauhati High Court, senior government officials and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.