Bar association says it will skip stone-laying ceremony of Gauhati High Court complex
In response to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s announcement of the stone-laying ceremony, the GHCBA announced Wednesday that it “has decided to abstain from participating” in the ceremony.
The GHCBA has been opposing the state government’s plan to relocate the High Court from its current location in the heart of the city to Rangmahal in North Guwahati, across the Brahmaputra, citing distance and accessibility concerns.
The Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA) Wednesday announced a boycott of the proposed foundation stone-laying ceremony of a new High Court complex in North Guwahati — a move it has strongly opposed — scheduled for January 11.
The GHCBA has been opposing the state government’s plan to relocate the High Court from its current location in the heart of the city to Rangmahal in North Guwahati, across the Brahmaputra, citing distance and accessibility concerns. The association says the move will make access difficult for both lawyers and the public. The opposition has led to discord between the bar council, the state government and a section of the judiciary.
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In response to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s announcement of the stone-laying ceremony, the GHCBA announced Wednesday that it “has decided to abstain from participating” in the ceremony. The ceremony is set to be attended by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, among others.
“The General Body, after due deliberation, has reiterated and reaffirmed its consistent stand, as reflected in earlier resolutions and the referendum conducted by the Association, opposing the proposed shifting of the Principal Seat of the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court from its present location,” it said in a statement.
The association also announced six-hour “hunger strikes” on January 8, 9 and 11 in front of the old High Court building.
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The matter came to a boil in March last year after a major protest by the bar prompted the High Court to issue a rare press statement condemning remarks made by some bar members against sitting judges.
The incident also led Advocate General Devajit Saikia to file a contempt of court petition against three members, including Kamal Nayan Choudhury, the president of the bar association.
In April, Chief Minister Sarma — a practising lawyer before being first elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly in 2001 — submitted his resignation from the GHCBA, citing a “conflict of interest”.
The GHCBA has been opposing the state government’s plan to relocate the High Court from its current location in the heart of the city to Rangmahal in North Guwahati, across the Brahmaputra, citing distance and accessibility concerns. 
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