Debajit Saikia Resigns from Gauhati High Court Bar Association Amid Court Shifting Controversy

Advocate General Debajit Saikia Resigns from Gauhati High Court Bar Association Amid Relocation Row

Advocate General of Assam, Debajit Saikia, has resigned from the Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA) following differences over the proposed relocation of the High Court premises to North Guwahati.

His resignation comes amid strong opposition from the GHCBA against shifting the existing High Court premises. The association has been vocal in its resistance, citing concerns over accessibility, historical significance, and the impact on the legal community.

In his resignation letter addressed to the President of the GHCBA, Saikia stated that his constitutional and official responsibilities required him to align with the decision of the Gauhati High Court and the Assam Government regarding the relocation. He emphasized that the move was aimed at creating a modern and well-equipped legal infrastructure to benefit lawyers, judges, litigants, and other stakeholders.

"Personally, I fully support the decision to shift the High Court to the proposed new location. Given the various deficiencies in the current infrastructure, this move is essential to ensure a more efficient and conducive working environment for the next generation of legal professionals while addressing existing challenges," Saikia wrote in his letter.

His resignation has intensified the debate surrounding the court relocation, with the legal fraternity divided on the issue. While some advocate for modernization, others argue that the move could disrupt the traditional legal ecosystem of the High Court.

The GHCBA has been actively protesting against the proposed shift, citing concerns about accessibility, disruption of legal proceedings, and the impact on legal professionals and litigants. The association has organized demonstrations and voiced strong opposition to the plan. Saikia acknowledged the stark contrast in positions between the GHCBA and the government on this issue and expressed concern over potential conflicts of interest. “Now, it is quite apparent that while discharging duty in my official/constitutional as well as in my personal capacity on the issue of shifting of the Gauhati High Court premise, I foresee numerous situations in which there may arise conflict of interest due to the diametrically opposite stands of the Gauhati High Court and Government of Assam on one side, while GHCBA on the other,” he mentioned in his letter. To prevent such conflicts, Saikia formally requested the cancellation of his membership from the GHCBA. He expressed that his decision was taken in the greater interest of present and future generations of lawyers and for the overall betterment of the justice delivery system. The resignation of the Advocate General amid this ongoing controversy has further intensified the debate surrounding the relocation of the Gauhati High Court. While the government argues that the move is essential for modernizing the judicial infrastructure, opposition from legal practitioners signals deeper concerns about its practical implications.