Lawyers launch hunger strike over proposed relocation of Gauhati High Court to north of city

Lawyers affiliated with the Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA) on Thursday began a hunger strike to protest the proposed relocation of the Gauhati High Court from its present premises in Guwahati to Rangmahal in the Amingaon area of North Guwahati..The protest is scheduled to continue on January 9 and January 11 between 10 AM and 4 PM in front of the Gauhati High Court building. The protest centres on the proposed shifting of the High Court to Rangmahal, which is located in an adjoining district across the Brahmaputra river. The hunger strike follows a resolution passed at an emergency extraordinary general meeting of the Bar Association held on January 6..The Bar Association's representatives said that the decision to relocate the High Court was taken without consultation with lawyers. Speaking to Bar & Bench, Senior Advocate and President of the GHCBA, Kamal Nayan Choudhury, stated, "As lawyers, we are very much their stakeholders. But notwithstanding that, at no point of time, we were taken into confidence."He added that the Bar Association's insistence on being consulted in the relocation decision led to a formal response denying any such need."When we insisted that we are very much a part and parcel of the justice delivery system, that we are a stakeholder, and therefore, we should be consulted before we take a call on shifting of the High Court, a press release was issued by the High Court... whereby they said that there is no requirement of consulting the lawyers," Choudhury said..The GHCBA has now also resolved to boycott the foundation stone–laying ceremony for the proposed new High Court complex at Rangmahal, scheduled for January 11. It has issued a notice asking its members not to attend the event in any capacity, warning that any violation of the decision could result in action under the Association’s rules..The GHCBA also claims that a message was circulated to government advocates, directing them to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony on January 11, with a warning that failure to do so would affect their engagement with government departments after the court reopens on January 19. GHCBA President Choudhury described this communication as a pressure tactic."They have taken it as an ego problem," he remarked. .In an representation dated December 16, 2025 addressed to the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, the GHCBA had earlier requested an opportunity to present its concerns over the proposed relocation of the High Court."Where the principal seat of the High Court would be located, it is decided by Parliament, by law, not by the High Court or the Administrative side. If you look at the Northeast Area Reorganisation Act of 1971, I think Section 31 is absolutely clear," added Choudhury, while speaking the Bar & Bench..The Association said it has consistently opposed the proposed relocation through formal resolutions and a referendum among its members. According to the Bar Association, 1,164 advocates voted against the proposed shift, while only 154 supported it..The GHCBA has also highlighted concerns about accessibility if the High Court is relocated. The new site at Rangmahal is roughly 25 kilometres from the current High Court, according to the Bar Association. Even with a planned bridge over the Brahmaputra, the distance would still be a considerable 16 kilometres. Lawyers highlighted that limited public transport options would increase travel time and costs for advocates, court staff, and litigants."The location of the High Court is so inferior that we have to go 4 km from the main arterial road. Absolutely backward, there is no infrastructure. First, you develop the area, build the infrastructure. Then you think of shifting all this in a holistic manner... 16 km for a place like Guwahati is too much. Here we have no metro, no nothing, no city bus, nothing of this sort," Choudhary said, on such concerns. .The Gauhati High Court currently operates from a building constructed in 1951, with an annex added in 2013 to meet growing space needs. The annex, built at a cost of over ₹100 crore, is approved for seven floors, of which four have been completed. The GHCBA has argued that any further space requirements could be met by adding more floors to the annex and utilising nearby land, without relocating the High Court.The Bar Association also raised concerns over whether the relocation would include only the High Court or also subordinate courts. Recent government decisions suggest that only the High Court may move initially, which could leave it operating separately from the trial courts and tribunals that remain in Guwahati..GHCBA has indicated that legal remedies may be pursued if the issue is not resolved. The hunger strike and boycott of the foundation ceremony are part of what the Association describes as a collective and peaceful protest."We still hope that the council will prevail and take a pragmatic view of the whole issue and reconcile with us," said Choudhury.[Read GHCBA hunger strike notice].[Read Letter].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.