Assam: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alongside Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Vijay Bishnoi, inaugurated the Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate’s Court building in Lakhipur, Cachar district, on December 1.
The CM hailed the development as a significant step toward enhancing judicial efficiency in Lakhipur and the broader Barak Valley region.
During the inauguration, Sarma emphasized the building’s role in streamlining judicial operations and addressing the aspirations of the people. Highlighting the region’s judicial history, he noted that Cachar’s administration was once under Sylhet’s jurisdiction, with Silchar hosting a circuit court before independence. Post-independence reforms led to the creation of a dedicated District Judge post for Cachar in 1955, a move that laid the groundwork for today’s legal framework in the region.
CM Sarma outlined the Assam government’s efforts to bolster judicial infrastructure across the state. Recent achievements include inaugurating District Judicial Court buildings in Barpeta and Sivasagar, as well as a Sub-divisional Judicial Magistrate Court building in Bokakhat. These new facilities feature modern amenities such as libraries, video conferencing rooms, Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres, and advanced surveillance systems.
The Chief Minister further announced that district judicial systems have been established in new districts like South Salmara-Mankachar, Bajali, Biswanath, Majuli, and West Karbi Anglong. To address growing commercial disputes, a dedicated Commercial Court is planned for Guwahati, alongside a specialized NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) court. A Directorate of Prosecution is also in the works to centralize prosecution-related administrative tasks.
Sarma highlighted the government’s focus on child protection, noting that 17 districts now host POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) courts, with two additional courts in Nagaon. Efforts to withdraw nearly 81,000 petty cases have reduced court backlogs, while safe deposition centers for witnesses have been established to protect their safety.
The CM also spoke about initiatives to make legal resources accessible, including the launch of the “Borsha” mobile app and e-service centers offering affordable legal information for women in distress.
Sarma praised the national reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, citing the transition from colonial-era laws to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These changes, he said, have revolutionized the criminal justice system by integrating scientific methods and technology into judicial processes.
The construction of a National Forensic Science University campus in Guwahati is set to further enhance investigations through advanced forensic training. Sarma stressed the importance of equipping police and investigators with knowledge of new criminal laws and leveraging technology for law enforcement.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed his commitment to bringing justice closer to the people of Assam, aligning state initiatives with the vision of “Ease of Justice” to ensure timely and equitable access to legal resources.
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