We, the residents of Barak Valley and concerned citizens, respectfully request the Government of India to take necessary steps for the establishment of a Circuit Bench of the Gauhati High Court in Barak Valley, preferably at Silchar.

At present, the Principal Seat of the Gauhati High Court is located at Guwahati. People from Barak Valley, comprising the districts of Cachar district, Karimganj district and Hailakandi district, must travel nearly 350 kilometres to approach the High Court. This distance creates significant financial, logistical and practical hardship for litigants seeking justice.

A substantial number of cases before the Gauhati High Court originate from Barak Valley. Yet litigants, lawyers and ordinary citizens face serious difficulties due to distance, travel costs and the language barrier experienced by many Bengali-speaking litigants of the region.

The principle of decentralization of administration and justice has already been recognized in governance. For example:

Administrative decentralization has been promoted through the establishment of a separate Secretariat for Barak Valley, bringing government services closer to the people.

Judicial decentralization has also been reflected in the establishment of courts at sub-divisional levels, such as the Court of the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate at Lakhipur, to ensure easier access to justice for residents of remote areas.
Following the same constitutional and administrative principle of decentralization, the establishment of a Circuit Bench of the Gauhati High Court in Barak Valley is both logical and necessary.

It is also important to note that virtual courts cannot be a substitute for a physical High Court Bench. While digital hearings may assist in limited situations, they do not adequately address the realities faced by litigants. Many citizens lack reliable digital infrastructure, technical knowledge, and resources necessary to participate effectively in virtual proceedings. Moreover, physical presence is often required for consultation with lawyers, filing of documents, and proper conduct of legal proceedings. Therefore, virtual court facilities cannot replace the necessity of a physical High Court Bench.

The establishment of a Circuit Bench in Barak Valley would:

Ensure effective and affordable access to justice for the people of the region.

Reduce the economic burden and long-distance travel hardship of litigants.

Facilitate speedy disposal of cases originating from Barak Valley.

Strengthen public confidence in the justice delivery system.

Promote balanced regional development and judicial decentralization.

            In view of these legal, administrative and practical considerations, we respectfully urge the Government of India, in consultation with the Government of Assam and other competent authorities, to initiate the process for establishing a Circuit Bench of the Gauhati High Court in Barak Valley, preferably at Silchar.

The establishment of such a bench will significantly strengthen access to justice, decentralized governance and constitutional equality for the people of this region.

We call upon all citizens to sign this petition and support the long-standing demand for a Circuit Bench of the Gauhati High Court in Barak Valley.

 
Petition initiated by:
Dharmananda Deb
Advocate, District Court, Silchar
Barak Valley, Assam.