HT Digital,
Guwahati , Nov 05: The Gauhati High Court Bar Association will conduct a secret ballot from December 8 to December 12 to decide the collective position of its members on the state government’s plan to shift the High Court premises to Rangmahal in North Guwahati. The move has already drawn sharp resistance from a large section of lawyers who argue that the proposed relocation will disrupt their work and daily commute.
The state government’s decision to shift the century-old institution across the river has sparked weeks of debate, prompting the Bar Association to launch a sustained campaign challenging the plan. With tensions rising, the association has opted for a democratic process to determine whether the legal fraternity officially supports or opposes the relocation.
According to the Bar Association, more than 5,550 registered advocates are eligible to vote. Many lawyers say the shift will cause significant hardship, noting that they have spent years building chambers and professional networks around the existing premises in Guwahati. They also fear that commuting to North Guwahati every day will be inconvenient and may hamper legal proceedings.
The result of the secret ballot is expected to shape the next phase of the lawyers’ protest and influence discussions with the government in the coming days.






