Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Sunday underscored that the judiciary, legislature, and executive exist solely to serve the people, delivering justice swiftly and affordably. He was speaking after inaugurating the newly constructed Gauhati High Court, Itanagar Permanent Bench building in Arunachal Pradesh.
“I have always been a staunch supporter of decentralisation. Justice should reach people’s doorsteps,” CJI Gavai said, emphasising that none of the institutions exist for their own glory but for ensuring justice to citizens.
Lauding successive chief justices of the Gauhati High Court for improving access to justice, the CJI praised Arunachal Pradesh’s unity in diversity, with its 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes, and commended government efforts to preserve their traditions and culture. “The country must progress, but not at the cost of our culture and traditions. Preserving them is a fundamental duty under the Constitution,” he noted.
Recalling visits to several northeastern states, Gavai said he was “mesmerised” by the region’s vibrant tribal heritage. Sharing a poignant moment from a recent trip to shelter homes in strife-hit Manipur, he recounted a woman telling him, “You are welcome to your home”. “It touched my heart because India is one home for all Indians,” he said.
Quoting B R Ambedkar, Gavai reiterated, “India first and India last”, stressing that the Constitution is the ultimate guiding text for every Indian, transcending religious scriptures. He urged citizens to read the Constitution and uphold its values, while highlighting the importance of Schedules V and VI in safeguarding the culture and traditions of the Northeast’s tribal communities.
Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Ashutosh Kumar said the new building reaffirms the Constitutional promise of justice without geographical barriers. “Let Arunachal be the place where justice comes first without delay, just as it witnesses the first sunrise,” he remarked, adding that court buildings are temples of Constitutional morality.
The Rs 135.35 crore state-of-the-art complex, featuring five courtrooms and modern amenities, was constructed by the Public Works Department. The project began in February 2021, following the foundation laid by Chief Minister Pema Khandu in 2018.
