Guwahati, July 6 (IANS) Assam Law Minister Susanta Borgohain on Monday announced in the Assembly that benches of the Gauhati High Court will be established in Dibrugarh and Barak Valley, marking a significant step towards improving access to justice in Upper Assam and the southern part of the state.

The announcement fulfils a long-standing demand, particularly from Barak Valley, where lawyers, political parties, civil society organisations and residents have been seeking a permanent bench of the Gauhati High Court for decades. Barak Valley, comprising the districts of Cachar, Sribhumi and Hailakandi, is located nearly 300 km from Guwahati. The absence of a High Court bench has forced litigants and lawyers to travel long distances to attend hearings, resulting in substantial expenses and delays.

Similarly, the proposed bench in Dibrugarh is expected to benefit litigants from Upper Assam districts by bringing judicial services closer to the people and reducing dependence on the principal seat of the Gauhati High Court in Guwahati.

The proposed benches are expected to improve access to justice, reduce travel time and litigation costs, and provide quicker disposal of cases. They are also likely to strengthen judicial infrastructure and promote the overall development of the legal ecosystem in both regions.

Legal experts believe decentralising the High Court’s functioning will ease the burden on the principal bench in Guwahati while ensuring more efficient handling of cases from distant districts.

The demand for a Barak Valley bench has witnessed several public campaigns over the years, with bar associations and various organisations repeatedly urging the state government to establish a permanent judicial bench in the region.

While announcing the decision, the Law Minister did not specify a timeline for the establishment of the two benches or provide details regarding their jurisdiction and operational framework.

The Gauhati High Court is the common High Court for Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, and currently functions from its principal seat in Guwahati, with permanent benches already operating in some northeastern states.

–IANS

tdr/pgh