Gauhati High Court
The Gauhati High Court formerly known as the High Court of Assam was established on 5th April, 1948. It was inaugurated by H.J. Kania, the then Chief Justice of India. Sir R.F. Lodge was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of Assam High court. The Assam High Court initially had its sittings at Shillong but shifted to Gauhati on 14th August, 1948. Later on, the Assam High Court came to be known as the High Court of Assam and Nagaland on the constitution of state of Nagaland; but renamed as Gauhati High Court in 1971 by the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971. The Principal Seat of the Gauhati High Court is at Guwahati, Assam. Apart from the Principal Seat, the High Court has 3(three) outlying Benches. These are Kohima Bench for the State of Nagaland (established on 1.12.1972), Aizawl Bench for the State of Mizoram (established on 5.7.1990) and Itanagar Bench for the State of Arunachal Pradesh (established on 12.8.2000). The Gauhati High Court occupied a unique position of being a common High Court of seven States of North East India, till 23.03.2013, the date of functioning of separate High Courts in Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura. At present, the sanctioned Judge strength of the Gauhati High Court is 24 including the Hon’ble Chief Justice and 6 Additional Judges. Every Judge including the Chief Justice is appointed by the President of India.
Short Summary
The Gauhati High Court was promulgated by governor general of India on 1 March 1948 after the Government of India Act 1935 was passed, establishing the high court with effect from 5 April 1948, for the then-province of Assam. It was originally known as the High Court of Assam and Nagaland, but renamed as Gauhati High Court in 1971 by the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971.
It has largest jurisdiction in terms of states, with its area covering the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
Gauhati High Court: Established on 5th April, 1948
First Chief Justice: Hon'ble Sir R. F. Lodge, ICS
State: Assam