Assam: Gauhati High Court lawyers reject proposal to shift principal seat to Rangmahal

Guwahati: The members of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association have overwhelmingly voted against the proposal to shift the principal seat of the Gauhati High Court from its present location to Rangmahal in Assam's North Guwahati.

The much-anticipated referendum, held over five days from December 8 to 12, concluded with a decisive verdict, reflecting growing unease within the legal fraternity over the longstanding relocation plan.

According to the official result sheet issued by the Returning Officer of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association on December 12, a total of 1,358 votes were cast in the referendum. Of these, only 154 advocates voted in favour of shifting the High Court to Rangmahal.

In stark contrast, an overwhelming 1,164 members voted against the proposal. Twenty-seven voters opted for NOTA, while 13 votes were cancelled during scrutiny.

The figures indicate a clear and overwhelming rejection of the plan, signalling that a majority of practising advocates remain unconvinced of the need or practicality of relocating the principal judicial institution of the region.

The referendum itself was the outcome of weeks of discussion, internal deliberation, and visible dissent among the legal community.

The decision to hold a vote arose from an Emergent Extra-Ordinary General Meeting convened on December 3, following a resolution adopted at the Association’s Emergent Executive Meeting held on December 1.

These meetings were prompted by the announcement that the foundation stone for a new High Court complex at Rangmahal was scheduled to be laid on January 17, 2026.

Senior advocates, juniors, and daily practitioners expressed that, before any irreversible step was taken, it was essential for the Bar to determine its collective position democratically and transparently.

The wider debate over the proposed shift has been building steadily over recent months. A large section of the Bar has repeatedly voiced concerns that relocating the High Court across the Brahmaputra could disrupt the daily functioning of thousands of advocates, litigants, and staff who depend on the existing, well-connected legal ecosystem.

Many lawyers argue that Rangmahal lacks the essential transport links, infrastructure, and institutional surroundings that have developed organically around the current High Court complex over several decades.

Chambers, lower courts, administrative buildings, and legal service offices all operate in proximity to the present High Court, enabling efficient movement of case files, clients, and officers.

Moving the institution, they say, would fracture this integrated system and create new barriers for those seeking justice.

Protests led by several groups of advocates have been taking place intermittently since the relocation proposal gained momentum. Demonstrations, written representations to authorities, and awareness campaigns have highlighted the apprehensions within the fraternity.

Opposing lawyers have repeatedly stressed that the shift could place an unfair burden on litigants, particularly those arriving from neighbouring districts and Northeastern states who already navigate long travel schedules to reach the High Court.

For many, the present location remains the most practical and accessible option.

On the other hand, a smaller group of members argued in favour of shifting, suggesting that a modernised complex in North Guwahati could offer expanded facilities and space for future growth.

However, the referendum results indicate that such arguments have not found broader acceptance at this stage.

With the vote now concluded, the Bar Association is expected to submit its formal position to the relevant authorities, reinforcing the strong opposition recorded through the referendum.

Although the final decision regarding the relocation rests with the government and judiciary, the referendum outcome will likely weigh heavily in the ongoing discourse.

For now, the message from the legal community appears unambiguous: advocates want the Gauhati High Court to remain where it is, embedded within the judicial and administrative ecosystem that has long supported the justice system of the region.