Gauhati Bar Alleges No Consultation in High Court Relocation Plan

The Gauhati High Court Bar Association on Monday, January 12, strongly criticised the Assam government over the proposed relocation of the Gauhati High Court to Rangmahal in North Guwahati, alleging that the decision was taken without consultation, transparency, or democratic dialogue with the legal fraternity.

Speaking from Guwahati, Bar Association members rejected the government’s claim that consultations had been held prior to finalising the relocation plan, calling the process unilateral and exclusionary.

The Gauhati High Court Bar Association has accused the Assam government of taking the decision to relocate the High Court to North Guwahati without consultation or transparency. Lawyers said no formal discussion was held with the Bar and argued that expansion was possible at the existing Uzan Bazar site itself.

Bar Rejects Claim of Prior Consultation

The association said it never received any invitation for consultation from the Advocate General or the state government. Members countered official claims by stating that lawyers were informed only after key decisions had already been finalised.

They argued that meaningful stakeholder dialogue was missing despite the High Court being a core public institution used daily by litigants, lawyers, and citizens from across Assam.

Space Constraint Argument Challenged

Addressing the government’s justification that the existing High Court complex lacks space, the Bar Association said the current Uzan Bazar campus has structural provision for vertical expansion.

According to lawyers, up to three additional floors can be added to the existing building. They said alternative proposals for expansion and modernisation at the current site had been submitted earlier but were not seriously considered.

Heritage and Urban Context Raised

The Bar Association also highlighted the historical and heritage value of the existing High Court building, describing it as a key civic landmark of Guwahati. Members questioned the logic of relocation when multi-storey commercial and residential buildings continue to be constructed in the same Uzan Bazar area.

They argued that shifting the court away from the city centre could undermine accessibility for litigants, especially senior citizens and economically weaker sections.

“Support Claims Are Misleading”: Bar

Dismissing claims of widespread support for the relocation, Bar members said such assertions were misleading and did not reflect the views of practising lawyers in Guwahati.

They also downplayed the significance of the foundation stone laying ceremony, stating that Assam has seen several such ceremonies in the past without timely project completion.

Lawyers Say Decision Was Imposed

Apurba Sharma, General Secretary of the Lawyers Association of Guwahati, said lawyers were informed only after decisions were taken and were expected to accept them without discussion.

He maintained that while the Bar supports infrastructure development, it cannot be imposed unilaterally. He added that a similar expansion could be achieved at the existing site at a lower financial cost.

Why This Matters for Guwahati

The Gauhati High Court is deeply integrated into the civic, legal, and economic life of Guwahati. Any relocation impacts daily commuting patterns, access to justice, and the city’s institutional geography.

The dispute reflects a broader debate in Guwahati over how major public infrastructure decisions are planned and who gets a voice in them.

What Happens Next

The Bar Association reiterated that its protest is in the public interest and warned against what it described as attempts to create false narratives around the issue. With construction plans moving ahead and opposition continuing, the standoff between the state government and the legal fraternity is expected to persist.

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