Guwahati, 11 Jan 2026: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant expressed clear surprise and disappointment over the resistance from a section of the legal fraternity to the proposed Integrated Judicial Court Complex in North Guwahati’s Rangmahal area. The foundation stone for the new complex, which will house the Gauhati High Court — serving Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram — was laid on Sunday amid protests by members of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA).
Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, the CJI described objections to the project as “ill-informed” and rooted in “personal vested interests” rather than the collective good. He emphasised that modern, future-ready infrastructure is essential for an efficient justice delivery system, particularly to benefit young lawyers entering the profession and to meet long-term judicial needs. According to him, opposition based on individual convenience should not justify stalling infrastructure initiatives designed to serve generations of legal professionals and litigants.
Justice Kant underscored that the new complex has been strategically planned to consolidate court facilities under one roof, offering improved working conditions and comprehensive services that the current scattered infrastructure cannot support. He also stressed that while infrastructure alone cannot solve issues like case backlogs, it remains a critical foundation for enhancing access to justice.
The GHCBA, however, maintained its strong opposition, boycotting the foundation event and staging a four-hour hunger strike in front of the existing High Court building. Lawyers have raised concerns about accessibility if the court is relocated farther from central Guwahati and alleged inadequate consultation on the plan. Some members have even indicated plans to legally challenge the relocation decision.
Present at the event were several dignitaries, including the Assam Chief Minister and the Union Law Minister, who supported the project’s vision for a modern judicial township and said infrastructure upgrades will ultimately benefit all stakeholders.