Itanagar: Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Sunday stressed that the judiciary, legislature, and executive exist solely to serve the people, urging that justice be delivered swiftly, affordably, and at people’s doorsteps rather than confined to the halls of power.
Speaking after inaugurating the new Gauhati High Court, Itanagar Permanent Bench complex, Gavai reaffirmed his support for decentralisation in the justice system.
“Neither the courts, nor the legislature, nor the executive exist for the royals, judges, or officials. We all exist to give justice to the people,” he said.
The CJI commended successive chief justices of the Gauhati High Court for their efforts to make justice more accessible, and praised Arunachal Pradesh’s unity in diversity, noting its 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes.
He stressed that India’s progress must not come at the cost of preserving culture and traditions, calling it a constitutional duty.
Recalling his visits to northeastern states over the past two years, Gavai said he was “mesmerised” by the vibrant tribal culture. He shared a personal moment from a visit to Manipur’s shelter homes, where a displaced woman told him, “You are welcome to your home,” which he said reflected India’s shared unity.
Quoting B R Ambedkar, Gavai underlined that the Constitution should be regarded as the supreme “granth” for all citizens and urged people to read it.
He also highlighted Ambedkar’s warning that political equality is meaningless without economic and social equality, and stressed the constitutional safeguards for the Northeast’s tribal communities under Schedules V and VI.
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Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Ashutosh Kumar said the new building symbolises justice without geographical barriers, remarking, “Let Arunachal be the place where justice comes first without delay, just as it witnesses the first sunrise.”
Supreme Court judges Ujjal Bhuyan, N Kotiswar Singh, Sandeep Mehta, and Vijay Bishnoi also addressed the event.
Built at a cost of Rs. 135.35 crore by the Public Works Department, the state-of-the-art complex houses five courtrooms and modern facilities.
Construction began in February 2021, after Chief Minister Pema Khandu laid the foundation in 2018.
