New Delhi, May 1 (UNI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has formally resigned from the Gauhati High Court Bar Association, citing a divergence in stance over the proposed relocation of the High Court complex to Rangmahal, North Guwahati.
In a letter addressed to the president of the Bar Association, Sarma stated that his decision was made “in the larger interest of judicial reform, institutional growth, and the future of the legal system.”
He expressed his inability to align with the Bar Association’s opposition to the proposed shift, which is backed by both the Government of Assam and the full court of the Gauhati High Court.
Sarma, who was an active member of the Bar from 1994 to 2001, wrote, “Considering the present position adopted by the Gauhati High Court Bar Association, which is in contrast and in conflict with the stand of the High Court and also of the government of Assam, I find myself in a morally difficult position.”
The bar association has been opposing the proposed move, citing concerns over accessibility and disruption. This disagreement has also led to tensions between the bar and bench, escalating after certain remarks were allegedly made by lawyers against a sitting High Court judge during a protest organised by the association.
Last month, the Gauhati High Court issued contempt notices to three lawyers, including GHCBA President Kamal Nayan Choudhury, following two petitions filed by advocate general Devajit Saikia, who himself resigned from the bar association earlier.
The Supreme Court has since stayed proceedings against Choudhury, while allowing contempt action to continue against the other two lawyers, including a senior advocate.
In his resignation letter, the Chief Minister defended the decision to relocate the High Court, listing several infrastructural limitations of the current premises, including, no scope for physical expansion of the court complex, severe shortage of parking facilities for lawyers and litigants and inadequate space to accommodate a potential increase in the number of judges from 22 to 30.
Recollecting his own experience as a junior lawyer, Sarma noted that he had to use his car as an improvised office due to the unavailability of space at the court premises.
“I am aware that the situation is no different for any junior lawyer today… The situation is much worse after 25 years now, when the number of law practitioners has risen manyfold,” he stated.
Sarma further emphasised that the relocation plan was approved by the full court of the High Court and, as Chief Minister, it was his constitutional responsibility to facilitate the judiciary’s vision.
“It is also my firm belief that the legal fraternity, including the Bar Association, in due course of time, will appreciate the long-term benefits of this decision,” he wrote.
The move to create a judicial township at Rangmahal is part of a broader state initiative to modernise judicial infrastructure and address long-standing capacity constraints.
UNI SNG PRS