GHC Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar meets HCBA Nagaland; proposes scaling down of new Kohima HC complex

BY | Wednesday, 27 August, 2025

Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar who is on a visit to Nagaland, said the upcoming new High Court Complex in Kohima could be involved in high expenses due to the base being too big. He said he was not against futuristic buildings but considering the financial circumstances, but suggested scaling down the project to fit the entire scheme in budgetary provision.

Speaking at a short reception programme hosted for the Chief Justice by the High Court Bar Association Nagaland (HCBA), Kumar said that furnishing and finishing are the most important aspects of a building and the new High Court Complex can be conceded in a phased manner.

He said he was aware of the separate independent High Court demand for Nagaland, mentioning that it is a political decision and he would not like to comment on it. But he said a separate High Court is a desire and the right which the state can pursue.

Pointing out that the measure and strength of the court is equivalent to strength of the Bar, Chief Justice Kumar said lawyers in Nagaland have a special responsibility of not only argument of cases but preservation of traditions as well.
HCBA president CT Jamir who highlighted about the HCBA along with Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) pursuing with Government of India to have a separate High Court, said that under Article 214 of the constitution of India there is a provision to have separate HC for each state. Unfortunately, the state is deprived of having that status yet.

Jamir said that the Bar at present have about 300 advocates under HCBA while NBA with its headquarters in Dimapur, has 1600 lawyers under it.

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Jamir highlighted that although the Bar is small, many judges have been appointed from here. Meanwhile, in a representation to the Chief Justice, the HCBA asked for consideration of appointment of High Court Judges and designation of Senior Advocates. HBCA mentioned that the Gauhati High Court has a total strength of 24 Judges at present, out of which, 18 Judges are from the State of Assam, 3 from Mizoram, 2 from Arunachal Pradesh, and 1 from Nagaland. HBCA mentioned that the appointment of Judges in the past had been done from the state of Nagaland from amongst the members of the Bar and Judicial Officers of the lower Judiciary.

The representation said that there are many advocates and Judicial Officers from the state who are capable to be considered for appointment as High Court Judges and being a welfare state, it is only appropriate to have proportionate representations in the higher echelon of Judicial Service.
The Chief Justice in response to the appeal made by the HCBA, said he was conscious of the need for senior designations which is important for the growth of the Bar.

 

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