Platinum Jubilee of the Gauhati High Court was celebrated at Gauhati High Court (GHC) Kohima Bench as well as at Dimapur at separate programmes Wednesday.
At Kohima, GHC bench judge justice Kakheto Sema addressed the programme as special guest where he highlighted about the history on how GHC had emerged from the High Court of Assam on September 9, 1947, after Assam Legislative Assembly adopted a resolution to establish a High Court for the Province of Assam.
He said that the GHC was a unique one whereby a single institution exercises jurisdiction throughout the North Eastern region.
According to Justice Kakheto, GHC occupied a unique position of being the common high court of the seven states of the North East India till March 3, 2013. He also pointed out that GHC administers justice in an area of enormous variations and geographically, covers an assortment of hills and values, ethnically it is an extraordinary mosaic.
He said that the legal and judicial scenario was more varied while divergent laws govern the people of the region. He also noted that the indigenous inhabitants of the hills area were primarily adapted to the conciliatory process rather than the advisory system. Justice Kakheto also said that most of the customary practises for settlement of dispute, practised in this region were not only expeditious and lasting but far more efficacious than the system followed in supposedly advanced areas.
He said when the constitution of India came into force, district council courts were established in the tribal areas under the provisions of the 6th Schedule of the constitution. As a result, jurisdiction of Assam High Court was extended to the tribal areas by Assam High Court jurisdiction over district council courts order 1954. Justice Kakheto pointed out that the Kohima bench of GHC was inaugurated on December 1, 1972.
Short speeches were also delivered by guest of honor, commissioner & secretary Law and Justice, Taliremba and president High Court Bar Association, CT Jamir.
The celebratory programme was compered by advocate, Kezhosano Kikhi while welcome address was delivered by registrar, GHC Kohima Bench, Neiko Akami.
A special number was presented by officers and staff of Kohima Bench.
During the occasion special guest and guest of honour released 75 balloons to commemorate the platinum Jubilee and also planted a tree each to mark the occasion.
It may be mentioned that the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Gauhati High Court will be graced by President Droupadi Murmu on April 7 during her two-day visit to Assam. Chief Justice of India Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud will also attend the function.
NBA stresses on having separate HC
Staff Reporter: The Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) and the District Judiciary organised a seminar commemorating the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Gauhati High Court here at the District Court Complex, Dimapur on Wednesday.
Speaking on the theme “Professional Ethics”, president Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) Akito Zhimomi mentioned that professional ethics were laws and principles that governed a person’s conduct in a professional workplace or work life.
He also highlighted that even after more than 60 years of Statehood, Nagaland was yet to have its own high court, and termed it as “a matter of shame”. He noted that the pursuit to have a high court seemed to have hit a road block.
Akito also reiterated the stand of the NBA that the state government appoint someone from the legal fraternity in the State to the said constitutional office. He said such issues have not been addressed due to lack of political will by those power.
He also reiterated the statement of values of judicial life adopted by the Supreme Court of India on May 7, 1997 and reminded about the set of dos and don’ts for members of the higher judiciary.
Akito asserted that judicial officers must aspire and adhere to a higher standard of honesty, integrity and propriety and also noted that the behaviour of judge has to be of an exacting standard, both inside and outside the court.
Speaking on the topic “The Bar and the Bench”, principal district and session judge Dimapur Inalo Zhimomi said the Bar and Bench enjoyed the cordial relationship between the lawyers and judges.
He reminded that the Bar and the Bench played an important role in the administration of justice, and that the judges administered the law with assistance from lawyers, who were called the officers of court. “Mutual relationship is necessary for the maintenance of cordial relations between Bench and Bar,” he emphasised.
Inalo said the Bar and the Bench were two wheels that must move in coordination and cooperation, and cautioned that without this, the justice delivery system would be interrupted and dented.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by civil judge (junior division)/JMFC, Dimapur, Holika Sukhalu and welcome address was delivered by Phek Bar Association president Povotso Lohe.
Invocation was offered by associate pastor and Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA) mission director Imnatoshi Longkumer and vote of thanks delivered by civil judge (senior division)/CJM Dimapur, Seyielenuo Mezhii.