Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Resigns From Gauhati High Court Bar Association Over Opposition To Judicial Township
|In his letter, the Chief Minister wrote that the current infrastructure “has miserably failed to meet the requirement of present-day need” and warned that inaction could result in losing out on viable land options.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has resigned from the Gauhati High Court Bar Association in protest against the Association’s opposition to the proposed Judicial Township at Rangmahal, North Guwahati. In a letter dated April 30, 2025, Sarma called the Bar’s resistance “unfortunate” and detailed the practical constraints that necessitate shifting of the High Court premises.
The Chief Minister wrote, “It has come to my notice that the Gauhati High Court Bar Association has taken a stand opposing the proposal to set up a Judicial Township with Gauhati High Court and other judicial infrastructures at Rangmahal, North Guwahati, as per the recommendation of the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court in its Full Court meeting held on 18.10.2023.”
He wrote that the State Government, despite financial and logistical challenges, had accepted the Full Court’s recommendation. “The Government of Assam, despite severe financial and other constraints, and with an anticipated expenditure of more than ₹1000 crore, has accepted this recommendation of the Full Court”, he writes.
Pointing to infrastructural deficiencies at the current premises, he wrote, “The present High Court buildings, located in the heart of the city, have absolutely no scope for any further expansion… Parking facilities for advocates, litigants and members of the registry are grossly inadequate… There is an acute shortage of official residences for the Hon’ble Judges.”
Drawing from personal experience, Sarma recalled his early legal career at the Gauhati High Court between 1994 and 2001, stating, “I… could not get any place to sit for legal work or for consultation with clients, compelling me to convert my car for keeping the files and books and also a meeting place with my clients.”
Sarma emphasized the connectivity advantages of the new site, stating, “With the completion of the new Guwahati—North Guwahati bridge… it will significantly reduce the travel time… to just 15–20 minutes.” He added that Rangmahal’s historical connection to Swargadeo Rudra Singha would add symbolic value to the institution’s legacy.
Concluding, he writes that his decision to resign from the bar is not only to avoid any conflict but also in the larger interest of judicial reform and for the benefit of the new generation of lawyers, ensuring they are on par with other upcoming and practicing lawyers in the country.