7/2023-2024

Aizawl, the 5^th April 2023:  Gauhati High Court, Aizawl Bench in collaboration with the Mizoral Legal Services Authority organised a seminar at Conference Hall, District Court Building, MINECO, Aizawl to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court on completion of 75 years.   Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.  “Challenges and the way forward for the Judiciary in Mizoram”, was the topic of the seminar.

The program commenced with a welcome address by Mrs Justice Marli Vankung, Judge, Gauhati High Court. On this occasion, Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati released a souvenir ceramic plate and then proceeded to give his address. Later on, Mr Justice Nelson Sailo Judge, Gauhati High Court delivered a keynote address covering the brief history and evolution of Gauhati High Court and elaborated on the topic of the seminar.

On behalf of the Mizoram Bar Association, Mr C. Lalramzauva, Senior Advocate, Adviser to Chief Minister also delivered a speech.

Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati expressed his delight in his participation at the historic event. He opened his address by sharing his knowledge of how disputes were settled using a conciliatory process rather than the adversary system in the North Eastern Hills region before the existence of courts.  He also expressed his appreciation of the peace-loving nature of the Mizo as the main reason why there is a smaller number of cases as compared to the other parts of the country.

He continued his address by reiterating the fact that the Judiciary is one of the most important Pillars of a Democracy and how the Judiciary is expected to be the Guardian of the Constitution.  He also further stated the significance of the Judiciary in playing the important role in guiding the Legislature and the Executive He explained how, on many occasions, the common people look to the courts as the last resort for justice.

Governor took this opportunity to highlight one issue which has plagued our judicial system, which is the inordinate delay in pronouncing judgments in court cases. Even though he has no doubt that all the stakeholders are doing their best to remedy this problem, he urged the judicial community to hasten up the process wherever possible, so that justice is delivered to the needy at the earliest.  Governor also appreciated the eCourts Integrated Mission Mode Project being pursued in the state to keep abreast with advancements in information and communication technology.

Full Speech of Governor: https://dipr.mizoram.gov.in/post/speech-of-dr-hari-babu-kambhampati-honble-governor-of-mizoram-on-the-occasion-of-platinum-jubilee-of-gauhati-high-court-at-conference-hall-district-court-building-mineco-on-5th-april-2023

In his keynote address, Mr Justice Nelson Sailo Judge, Gauhati High Court thanked the state Government for their support in providing and developing the infrastructural projects for the Judiciary. He gave a brief report on the progress of infrastructural projects with the 3 Judicial districts - Aizawl District (Aizawl, Kolasib, Mamit and Saitual districts), Lunglei District (Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Siaha and Hnahthial districts) and Champhai District (Champhai and Khawzawl districts). He explained that strengthening the infrastructure is one of the key ingredients for strengthening the Judiciary. On this occasion, he cited the increasing figure of law graduates every year and urged the law graduates to be more pro-active role and challenged them to be more involved with state governance. He suggested that law graduates are as good as any other graduates for public leadership roles since they, through their experience and learning are well acquainted with the welfare of the people in a democratic set-up. Mr Justice Nelson Sailo also suggested that there are now adequate numbers of law graduates to venture into the area of law-making and policy decision-making process rather than be confined only to the litigation process.

Another noted speaker of the occasion, Pu C. Lalramzauva, Senior Advocate, Adviser to the Chief Minister also encouraged the Bar Members and the lawyers who are practising within the state to remain committed to maintaining the high standards and try to keep improving. He suggested that the standards maintained by the practising lawyers in the state are as good as the others outside. He also voiced his support for law graduates widening their horizons to be more proactive and urged them to become more involved in public leadership roles.

The Gauhati High Court today emerged from the High Court of Assam, which was established with effect from 5th April 1948. Initially, sittings were held at Shillong but were shifted to Gauhati from 14th August 1948. Later on, the Assam High Court came to be known as the High Court of Assam and Nagaland on the constitution of Nagaland in 1963.

The North Eastern Area (Reorganization) Act, of 1971 established a common High Court for the five States of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura, and the two Union Territories of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh called the Gauhati High Court. From 20th February 1987, a common High Court for the States of Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh came into being. Apart from the Principal Seat at Guwahati, there are 3 (three) outlying Benches, viz, Kohima Bench for Nagaland, Aizawl Bench for Mizoram, and Itanagar Bench for Arunachal Pradesh. The Gauhati High Court occupied the unique position of being a common High Court for all the seven States of North East India till 23rd March 2013, when separate High Courts were set up for Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura.

The Gauhati High Court administers Justice in an area having enormous geographical and ethnic variations.

The jurisdiction of the Assam High Court was extended to the Sixth Schedule areas vide Assam High Court (Jurisdiction over District Council Courts) Order 1954. The Aizawl Bench of the Gauhati High Court was established on 5th July 1990. The High Court Building is under construction at the New Capital Complex (MINECO). Since the separation of the Judiciary in Mizoram in 2008, the High Court is doing superintendence over all courts and tribunals within Mizoram.

Pu H.Rammawi, Vice Chairman, Mizoram State Planning Board, Pu Lalsawta, Chairperson, Mizoram Lokayukta, Pu Lala Khobung, Chairman, Mizoram State Law Commission, Dr Renu Sharma, Chief Secretary, Pu Devesh Chandra Srivastava, Director General of Police, Pu H.Lalengmawia, Commissioner & Secretary, Home Department, Pi Helen Dawngliani, Secretary, Law and Judicial Department and other top officials represented Government of Mizoram at the Seminar. Pu Vanlalenmawia, District & Sessions Judge, Aizawl, Dr HTC. Lalrinchhana, Judge, Special Court, PC Act, Pu Thanglianmanga Guite, District & Sessions, Lunglei,  Pi R. Vanlalchami, Presiding Officer, MACT, Pi R. Lalduhawmi, Judge, Special Court, ND & PS Act and other Senior judges represented the Mizoram Judicial Services.  President and his colleagues represented the  Mizoram Bar Association. Principal, Professors and students from Mizoram Law College also attended the event.  The Program concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Pu Joel Joseph Denga, Registrar, Gauhati High Court, Aizawl Bench.