Silchar: The demand for a permanent bench of the Gauhati High Court in the Barak Valley gained renewed momentum on Tuesday after the Vishva Hindu Parishad's (VHP) legal cell, the Vidhi Prakoshtha, submitted a memorandum to the chief justice. The memorandum highlighted the 'acute hardship' faced by litigants from the region, who are forced to travel long distances for legal proceedings.
Travel burden on litigants
The memorandum emphasized that residents of Cachar, Sribhumi, Hailakandi, and adjoining Dima Hasao district are compelled to travel over 300 kilometers to Guwahati for court hearings. This imposes a heavy financial strain and causes significant delays in the delivery of justice. The VHP noted that the situation disproportionately affects economically weaker sections, women, and senior citizens, who struggle to afford the time and cost of travel.
Fundamental right to justice
Calling access to justice a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the VHP argued that the absence of a local bench effectively limits citizens' ability to seek timely legal remedies. The memorandum referred to the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, and the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971, which empower authorities to establish High Court benches where necessary. It maintained that the Barak Valley contributes a significant volume of cases, warranting the decentralization of judicial functions.
Virtual hearings not a substitute
The legal cell also stressed that virtual hearings cannot replace the need for a physical bench. It argued that in-person proceedings ensure better legal assistance and efficiency. The memorandum pointed to the Jalpaiguri circuit bench of the Calcutta High Court as a successful example of decentralization, where a local bench has improved access to justice.
Growing support for the demand
The representation, signed by Dilip Kumar Das, coordinator of the VHP's Dakshin Assam Prant legal cell, comes amid a series of similar appeals by civil society groups in the Barak Valley. Stakeholders are now looking to the chief justice for a favorable recommendation to bridge the judicial gap between the Barak Valley and Guwahati. The demand for a permanent bench has been a long-standing issue, with various organizations calling for better judicial infrastructure in the region.
