Chief Justice suggests scaling down Kohima High Court complex

HCBA seeks greater representation of Nagaland lawyers

KOHIMA — Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Ashutosh Kumar, has suggested scaling down the new Kohima High Court complex in view of financial constraints, even as he assured that demands raised by the High Court Bar Association Nagaland (HCBA) would be looked into.

Speaking during his visit to the Kohima Bench on Tuesday, Justice Kumar noted that although the new high court building was almost 95% complete, the scale of the project was “too big” and involved significant expenditure. He said that while he was not against the construction, as it would cater to the state’s future needs, budgetary limitations must also be considered.

Justice Kumar proposed that the project could be completed in phases to better fit within financial provisions. He suggested limiting space and area in order to prioritise proper furnishing and finishing, which he described as the most important aspect of the building. He further observed that two of the planned courtrooms, which are capable of accommodating over 300 people, could be retained at the extreme ends of the campus, while other portions of the design could be scaled down to reduce costs.

Also read: Nagaland Bar Association resolves to pursue for separate high court

During the same meeting, members of the HCBA, led by its president, CT Jamir, placed several appeals before the Chief Justice, including the appointment of more judges from Nagaland under the Gauhati High Court and the designation of additional Senior Advocates from the state.

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Jamir highlighted that out of the total sanctioned strength of 24 judges in the Gauhati High Court, 18 are from Assam, three from Mizoram, two from Arunachal Pradesh, and only one—Justice Yarenjungla Longkumer—from Nagaland. He pointed out that appointments in the past had included individuals from Nagaland both from the Bar and the lower judiciary, and argued that many Advocates and Judicial Officers from the state today are equally capable of serving in the higher judiciary.

“Being a welfare state, it only feels appropriate to have proportionate representations in the higher echelon of Judicial Service,” Jamir said, appealing for more appointments of judges from Nagaland.

The HCBA president further stated that the association currently has 264 Advocates, with only three designated as Senior Advocates. He asserted that many more are qualified to be considered for the distinction and urged the Chief Justice to take up the matter.

Read more: Nagaland's separate High Court dream faces funding hurdles

Jamir also reiterated the association’s long-standing demand for a separate High Court for Nagaland, which the HCBA has been pursuing with the Government of India.

Responding to the appeals, Justice Kumar assured that he was conscious of the need for senior designations, which he said were important for the growth of the Bar. He explained that the matter would be guided by Supreme Court law and judgments, with the SC expected to invite applications and delegate the procedure accordingly.

On the issue of a separate High Court for Nagaland, however, Justice Kumar clarified that it was a political decision beyond his remit, although he encouraged the HCBA to pursue the matter through appropriate channels.

Justice Kumar was accompanied by Justice Devashish Baruah and Justice Pranjal Das of the Gauhati High Court during his visit to Kohima.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Met Hon’ble Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Gauhati High Court. Wished him a successful tenure & reaffirmed the State Govt’s commitment to completing the Kohima High Court Complex at the earliest, & establishing a separate High Court for Nagaland for accessible, efficient justice.”