Oppn to court relocation solely in public interest: Gauhati Bar body

Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA) on Monday asserted that its opposition to shifting the court 30km away to North Guwahati from its current location in the city’s heart is solely in the public interest and not driven by any personal or vested motives.

The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, laid the foundation stone for the Rs 1,705 crore integrated judicial court complex at Rangmahal in North Guwahati on Sunday. The association members, who have been opposing it since 2023, boycotted the foundation lay ceremony. They criticised the state govt’s move to relocate the HC alleging the decision lacked consultation, transparency and democratic dialogue.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, the Bar members accused the govt of keeping lawyers in the dark while pushing ahead with the plan. Denying claims that the advocate general invited them for discussions, members said, “No such invitation was ever extended.”

Countering the argument of space constraints, the Bar said three additional floors can be built at the existing complex at Panbazar and that lawyers had suggested multiple alternatives. They stressed the heritage value of the current building, calling it a temple-like structure, and questioned the logic of relocation when 10-storey buildings are coming up nearby.

Rejecting claims of unanimous support, the association said, “Did the govt get 100% votes to form power? It barely got 37%. Such arguments are misleading.”

Downplaying the foundation stone laying ceremony, members said, “Assam has hundreds of abandoned foundation stones. This could be one more,” questioning how construction and protests could proceed simultaneously.

The Bar members dismissed parking issues cited by the govt claiming that such problems are common in all major cities, including Kolkata.

The association said it’s misleading to call their protest “unnecessary” and alleged that false narratives were being spread. General secretary Apurba Sharma said lawyers have no political agenda. “We were informed only after decisions were taken and expected to accept them. We are deeply hurt by this one-sided approach,” he said.

“If concerns are addressed logically, we are willing to go to Rangmahal with a smile. We want development, but not through unilateral decision,” he added.