Guwahati, Jan 11: Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Sunday delivered a strong message to sections of the legal fraternity opposing Assam’s proposed integrated court complex, cautioning that personal vested interests should not stand in the way of modern judicial infrastructure.
Laying the foundation stone of the Integrated Judicial Court Complex—envisioned as a new judicial city—at Rangmahal in North Guwahati’s Amingaon area, the CJI said he was surprised to learn that some members of the Bar Association had opposed the project.
“Either they are ill-informed or they are not realising the needs of young members of the Bar and those waiting in the queue,” Justice Kant said. “Personal vested interests should not hamper the creation of modern-day infrastructure.”
Calling the project far more than a construction exercise, the Chief Justice described it as a reaffirmation of the Constitution’s promise that justice must never appear distant, forbidding or out of reach—especially in a region marked by complex geography and social diversity.
“In reimagining justice delivery, the concept of an integrated court complex reflects a mature, contemporary and futuristic approach to how courts must serve,” he said. “Dispute resolution does not begin and end in the courtroom. It starts when a grievance is brought to court and continues until it is finally resolved.”
Justice Kant underlined that justice delivery involves multiple stakeholders—judges, lawyers, litigants and court staff—and warned that when these components operate in silos, the system becomes fragmented and exhausting. “As head of the Indian judiciary, my priority is to develop future-ready infrastructure that empowers those yet to find their footing, rather than catering only to those who have already reaped the full harvest of their profession,” he added.
The Integrated Judicial Court Complex will be developed over 148 bighas of land at an estimated cost of Rs 1,700 crore. The campus will house a new High Court building, advocates’ chambers, a High Court office building, district courts of Kamrup and Kamrup Metropolitan, extensive parking facilities and allied infrastructure.
Addressing the gathering, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the new High Court building will initially have 31 courtrooms, designed to allow advocates and litigants to sit inside and observe proceedings—an aspect aimed at improving transparency and courtroom experience.
The complex will include around 300 chambers for advocates, seating for nearly 2,000 lawyers and a six-storeyed administrative block. Provision has also been made for an additional 15 courtrooms in the future to meet growing demand.
Recalling his own early career at the Gauhati High Court, Sarma said the existing High Court building would not be able to reflect the aspirations of the people of Assam over the next 50 years. He acknowledged the historic role of the Gauhati High Court in upholding justice, constitutional values and citizens’ rights since its inception.
The Chief Minister said Rs 480 crore has been earmarked for the first phase of the project and Rs 1,200 crore for the second. The first phase is expected to be completed within 24 months.
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