Barak Valley Advocates Intensify Call for Permanent High Court Bench
In Silchar, the longstanding demand for establishing a permanent bench of the Gauhati High Court in Barak Valley has been forcefully revived. Members of the High Court Bench Demand Implementation Committee held a press conference on Friday, urging immediate action to address the severe accessibility issues plaguing the region's judicial system.
Travel Hardships and Financial Burden
Advocate Dharmananda Deb, speaking at the District Bar Association building, detailed the immense difficulties faced by litigants and lawyers from Cachar, Sribhumi, and Hailakandi districts. The necessity to travel to Guwahati, the principal seat of the High Court, creates both logistical and financial burdens. "The extensive distance transforms justice into a challenging and costly endeavor," Deb emphasized. He argued that a permanent bench in Barak Valley would dramatically enhance accessibility and streamline judicial efficiency.
Digital Solutions Deemed Insufficient
Deb also cast doubt on the effectiveness of digital judicial mechanisms like e-filing and virtual hearings. He pointed to the region's unreliable electricity supply and inconsistent internet connectivity as major obstacles. "Technological advancements cannot fully compensate for the fundamental need for physical judicial infrastructure in our valley," he stated.
A Decades-Long Struggle
The campaign for a permanent bench traces its origins to the 1980s, sustained over the years through:
- Repeated memorandums submitted to authorities
- Numerous public rallies and demonstrations
- Sustained advocacy campaigns
Advocate Drubha Kumar Saha revealed that a delegation recently presented a fresh memorandum to two judges of the Gauhati High Court. While acknowledging technological progress, Saha stressed that many legal cases still require in-person verification and physical court appearances, which a local bench would facilitate.
Addressing Case Pendency
Saha highlighted that a Barak Valley bench would significantly help reduce the backlog of pending cases and accelerate their disposal. He noted that despite earlier indications from Minister Kaushik Rai about government consideration, no concrete steps have materialized. An intellectual meeting to further discuss this critical issue is scheduled for March 28.
Statistical Evidence and Broader Need
Advocate Swarnali Ghosh provided compelling statistics, revealing that approximately 40% of pending cases in the Gauhati High Court originate from Barak Valley. This figure underscores the region's heavy reliance on the distant principal seat. Advocate Niladri Roy emphasized the urgent need to decentralize judicial institutions to ensure faster case resolution, particularly as courts nationwide struggle with increasing pendency rates.
Unified Advocacy
Other prominent advocates present at the conference—including Yasmin Ali Barbhuiya, Dipak Chakraborty, Prasenjit Deb, Debabrata Das, and Dipak Kumar Deb—unanimously expressed hope that this persistent demand would finally gain the necessary momentum for implementation. Their collective voice represents a renewed push for judicial equity in Assam's southern frontier.
