Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stepped down from his membership in the Gauhati High Court Bar Association, citing irreconcilable differences over the proposed establishment of a new Judicial Township in Rangmahal, North Guwahati. The resignation, submitted on April 29, underscores a deepening rift between the state government and the legal body regarding the future of the High Court’
In his formal resignation letter to the association’s president, Sarma articulated the urgent need for modernized judicial infrastructure, emphasizing the acute space limitations, parking deficiencies, and overall inadequacy of the current High Court premises. He argued that the present location, nestled within Guwahati’s urban core, precludes any possibility of future expansion, particularly in light of the anticipated increase in judicial appointments.
Sarma, drawing from his own experiences as a practicing advocate between 1994 and 2001, highlighted the persistent challenges faced by junior lawyers, compounded by the evolving technological demands of the profession. “The existing infrastructure of our High Court has miserably failed to meet present-day requirements, and the situation will only worsen,” he asserted.
Defending the state government’s investment of over ₹1000 crore in the new judicial complex, Sarma referenced the Full Court’s 2023 recommendation, asserting that the Rangmahal site was meticulously chosen by a High-Powered Committee in collaboration with the Chief Justice and approved by the Full Court. He categorically refuted allegations that the location was selected for political expediency.
Sarma reassured that the proposed relocation would ultimately serve the long-term interests of the legal community, particularly with the development of infrastructure projects like the upcoming Guwahati-North Guwahati bridge and a ring road, which are expected to significantly reduce travel times. He also suggested transforming the existing High Court buildings into a judicial museum, preserving their historical significance.
In his concluding remarks, Sarma stated, “This decision is in the larger interest of judicial reform, institutional growth, and the future of our legal system. It will help equip our new generation of lawyers with world-class facilities on par with national standards.” His resignation signals a firm stance on the government’s commitment to the new judicial township, despite the Bar Association’s opposition.
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