establishment of high courts in india

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Page | 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement ………………………………………………………………………………... 3 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..............4 Justice Delivery System Before the Establishment of High Courts……………………………… 5 Establishment of High Courts Pre and Post Independence………………………………………..7 Pre Independence………………………………………………………………………………. 7 Post Independence……………………………………………………………………………... 8 Establishmnet of Different High Courts In India………………………………………………….9 Calcutta High Court …………………………………………………………………………….9 High Court of Bombay………………………………………………………………………… 9 Madras High Court……………………………………………………………………………10 High court of Judicature at Allahabad………………………………………………………...11 High Court of Karnataka……………………………………………………………………... 12 The High court of Judicature at Patna………………………………………………………... 12 High court of Madhya Pradesh………………………………………………………………..13 High Court of Jammu and Kashmir………………………………………………………….. 14 High Court of Punjab and Haryana…………………………………………………………... 15 Odisha High Court …………………………………………………………………………….16 Gauhati High Court …………………………………………………………………………... 17 High Court of Rajasthan………………………………………………………………………17 High Court of Andhra Pradesh……………………………………………………………….. 18 High Court of Kerala…………………………………………………………………………. 19 High Court of Gujrat …………………………………………………………………………. 20 High Court of Delhi………………………………………………………………………….. 20 High Court of Himachal Pradesh…………………………………………………………….. 21 High Court of Sikkim. ……………………………………………………………………….. 22

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Page 1: Establishment of High Courts in India

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………………... 3

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….............. 4

Justice Delivery System Before the Establishment of High Courts……………………………… 5

Establishment of High Courts Pre and Post Independence………………………………………..7

Pre Independence………………………………………………………………………………. 7

Post Independence……………………………………………………………………………... 8

Establishmnet of Different High Courts In India………………………………………………….9

Calcutta High Court…………………………………………………………………………….9

High Court of Bombay………………………………………………………………………… 9

Madras High Court…………………………………………………………………………… 10

High court of Judicature at Allahabad………………………………………………………... 11

High Court of Karnataka……………………………………………………………………... 12

The High court of Judicature at Patna………………………………………………………... 12

High court of Madhya Pradesh……………………………………………………………….. 13

High Court of Jammu and Kashmir………………………………………………………….. 14

High Court of Punjab and Haryana…………………………………………………………... 15

Odisha High Court…………………………………………………………………………….16

Gauhati High Court…………………………………………………………………………... 17

High Court of Rajasthan……………………………………………………………………… 17

High Court of Andhra Pradesh……………………………………………………………….. 18

High Court of Kerala…………………………………………………………………………. 19

High Court of Gujrat…………………………………………………………………………. 20

High Court of Delhi………………………………………………………………………….. 20

High Court of Himachal Pradesh…………………………………………………………….. 21

High Court of Sikkim. ……………………………………………………………………….. 22

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Creation of three new High Courts Under Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar

Reorganisation Act, 2000 In the states of Chhattisgarh Uttrakhand and Bihar. ……………...

23

High Court of Chhattisgarh………………………………………………………………...23

High Court of Uttrakhand…………………………………………………………………. 24

Jharkhand High Court……………………………………………………………………... 24

Establishment of three New High courts in Meghalaya Manipur and Tripura. ……………... 25

High Court of Meghalaya. ………………………………………………………………... 25

High Court of Tripura. ……………………………………………………………………. 26

High Court of Manipur. …………………………………………………………………... 26

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………. 28

Biblography………………………………………………………………………………………29

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not have been possible without the kind

support and help of many individuals and my subject teacher. I would like to extend my sincere

thanks to all of them.

I am highly indebted to my subject teacher Mr. R.K. Das for his guidance and constant

supervision as well as for providing necessary information regarding the project & also for his

support in completing the project.

I would like to express my gratitude towards my hostel mates for their kind co-operation and

encouragement which help me in completion of this project.

My thanks and appreciations also go to my friends in making the project and people who have

willingly helped me out with their abilities.

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INTRODUCTION

India's unitary judicial system is made up of the Supreme Court of India at the national

level, for the entire country and the 24 High Courts at the State & Union territory level. These

courts have jurisdiction over a state, a union territory or a group of states and union territories.

Each State has its own judiciary which administers both union and State laws. It is set in

hierarchical pattern. At the apex of the State judiciary is the High Court, which is the highest

court of appeal and revision in the State for civil and criminal matters, including the wide

powers, both administrative and judicial, over the subordinate judiciary.Below the High Courts

are a hierarchy of subordinate courts such as the civil courts, family courts, criminal courts and

various other district courts. High Courts are instituted as constitutional courts under Part VI,

Chapter V, Article 214 of the Indian Constitution. Article 214 of The Constitution of India says

“There shall be a High Court for each state”.

The High Courts are the principal civil courts of original jurisdiction in the state along

with District Courts which are subordinate to the High courts. However, High courts exercise

their original civil and criminal jurisdiction only if the courts subordinate to the High court in the

state are not competent (not authorized by law) to try such matters for lack of pecuniary,

territorial jurisdiction. High courts may also enjoy original jurisdiction in certain matters if so

designated specifically in a state or Federal law. e.g.: Company law cases are instituted only in a

High court.

The first High Court in India was established in July, 1862 at Calcutta in order to give

justice to the people of British India in the lights of equity and good conscience.

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JUSTICE DELIVERY SYSTEM BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HIGH COURTS

The British gained control of Bengal in the mid-18th century, the system of justice there

was presided over by the Nawab of Bengal himself, who, as the chief law officer, Nawāb Nāzim,

attended to cases qualifying for capital punishment . His deputy, the Naib Nāzim, attended to the

slightly less important cases. The ordinary lawsuits belonged to the jurisdiction of a hierarchy of

court officials consisting of faujdārs, muhtasils, and kotwāls. In the rural areas, or the Mofussil,

the zamindars—the rural overlords with the hereditary right to collect rent from peasant

farmers—also had the power to administer justice.

In the mid-18th century, the British had completed a century and a half in India, and had

a burgeoning presence in the three presidency towns of Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta. Charles

II in 1683 issued a charter under which, the Company was given the power to establish "courts of

judicature" in locations of its choice, each court consisting of a lawyer and two merchants. This

right was renewed in the subsequent charters of 1686 and 1698 respectively. In 1726, however,

the Company felt that more customary justice was necessary for European residents in the

presidency towns, and petitioned the King to establish Mayor's Courts. The petition was

approved and Mayor's courts, each consisting of a Mayor and nine aldermen, and each having

the jurisdiction in lawsuits between Europeans, were created in Fort William (Calcutta), Madras,

and Bombay.

Warren Hastings arrived in Calcutta as the first Governor-General of the Company's

Indian dominions and resolved to overhaul the Company's organization and in particular its

judicial affairs. In the interior, or Mofussil, diwāni adālats, or a civil courts of first instance, were

constituted in each district; these courts were presided over by European Zilā judges employed

by the Company, who were assisted in the interpretation of customary Indian law by

Hindu pandits and Muslim qazis. For small claims, however, Registrars and Indian

commissioners, known as Sadar Amīns and Munsifs, were appointed. These in their turn were

supervised by provincial civil courts of appeal constituted for such purpose, each consisting of

four British judges. Similarly for criminal cases, Mofussil nizāmat adālats, or Provincial courts

of criminal judicature, were created in the interior; these again consisted of Indian court officers

(pandits and qazis), who were supervised by officials of the Company.

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Around this time the business affairs of the East India Company began to draw increased

scrutiny in the House of Commons. After receiving a report by a committee, which condemned

the Mayor's Courts, the Crown issued a charter for a new judicial system in the Bengal

Presidency. The British Parliament consequently enacted the Regulating Act of 1773 under

which the King-in-Council created a Supreme Court in the Presidency town, i.e. Fort William.

The tribunal consisted of one Chief Justice and three judges; all four judges were to be chosen

from barristers. The Supreme Court supplanted the Mayor's Court; however, it left the Court of

Requests in place. Both the Act and the charter said nothing about the relation between

the judiciary (Supreme Court) and the executive branch (Governor-General); equally, they were

silent on the Adālats(both Diwāni and Nizāmat) created by Warren Hastings just the year before.

In the new Supreme Court, the civil and criminal cases alike were interpreted and prosecuted

accorded to English law; in the Sadr Adālats, however, the judges and law-officers had no

knowledge of English law, and were required only, by the Governor-General's order, "to proceed

according to equity, justice, and good conscience, unless Hindu or Muslim Laws was in point, or

some Regulation expressly applied."

There was a good likelihood, therefore, that the Supreme Court and the Sadar

Adālats would act in opposition to each other and, predictably, many disputes resulted. The

appointment had to be annulled in 1781 by a parliamentary intervention with the enactment of

the Declaration Act. The Act exempted the Executive Branch from the jurisdiction of the

Supreme Court. It recognized the independent existence of the Sadar Adālats and all subsidiary

courts of the Company. Furthermore, it headed off future legal turf wars by prohibiting the

Supreme Court any jurisdiction in matters of revenue (Diwāni) or Regulations of the

Government enacted by the British Parliament.1

1 http://realityviews.blogspot.in/2010/07/part-24-indian-legal-history-indian.html

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ESTABLISHMENT OF HIGH COURTS PRE AND POST INDEPENDENCE

Pre Independence

Indian High Courts Act 1861, was passed to abolish two sets of courts which were

administering justice in India. The King’s Courts and the Company’s Courts formed the dual

system of courts having their separate jurisdictions. Efforts to unite the two sets of Courts began

much earlier than 1861. In 1858 the East India Company was abolished and the assumption of

direct responsibility of the Government of India by the Crown made the problem of uniting two

sets of Courts much easier. Uniform Penal Code, Civil and Criminal Procedure Codes were

passed and the next step was to implement uniformity in the administration of Justice to

amalgamate the Supreme Courts and Sadar Adalats. This object was achieved by the Indian High

Courts Act passed by the British Parliament in 1861.

The Indian High Courts Act was passed by the British Parliament on the 6th August,

1861 and was titled as an act for establishing high courts of judicature in India. This legislation

contained only 19 sections only.

Its main function was to abolish the supreme courts and the Sadar Adalats in the three

Presidencies and to establish the high courts in their place. The records and document of the

various courts became the records and documents of the High Court concerned. It gave power

authority in Her Majesty to issue letters patent under the great seal of the United Kingdom, to

erect and establish High courts of judicature at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay.

Each High court was to consist of a chief justice and as many puisne judges not

exceeding fifteen as her majesty might think to fit to appoint. Who became the high court judge

or who was eligible to become the high court judge.

Each high court was to have and exercise all such civil and criminal admiralty and vice-

admiralty, testamentary, intestate and matrimonial jurisdiction and original and appellate

The High Court was to have superintendence over all courts subject to its appellate jurisdiction.

It got power, authority to call for return, to transfer any suit or appeal from one court to another

and to make and issue general rules for regulating the practice and proceedings of such courts.

The charter for the Calcutta High Court was issued on May 14, 1862 and was published in

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Calcutta on the 1st July 1862 establishing the high court from the next day. The charter for the

High Courts of Bombay and Madras were issued on June 26, 1862 and these courts were

inaugurated on the 14th and 15th August 1862.2

Post Independence

The present Constitution of India makes a number of provisions concerning the High

Courts though it is not the place to expound the full ramifications of these provisions as the

matter falls more appropriately within the realm of Constitution law.

The Constitution recognized all the existing High Courts. It provided a High Court for

each State. The Parliament is empowered to establish a common High Court for two or more

States or Union territories. The High Court is a court of record and as such can punish for its

contempt. It is not subject to the superintendence of any Court or authority, though appeals from

its decisions may lie to the Supreme Court. It consists of a Chief Justice and as many Judges as

the President of India may sanction.

The Constitution of India has conferred on the High Courts significant and effective

powers to administer justice, to promote Justice by the lower courts, to take prompt action when

there is a miscarriage of Justice, to secure the rights and liberties of the people and to ensure that

the administration functions within the limits of the law. The High Court thus occupies a high

position of respect, dignity and authority in the modern judicial system.3

2 http://admiraltypractice.com/chapters/1.htm 3 http://indiancourts.nic.in/

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ESTABLISHMNET OF DIFFERENT HIGH COURTS IN INDIA

The High Courts in India were first established in 1862 since then 24 High Courts till

now has been established in different states. The High Courts in India before Independence were

established by High Courts Act 1861, Government of India Act 1915 or by various Acts passed

by The Maharaja of various states; whereas, the High Courts after Independence were made

under Article 214 of The Constitution of India, most of the High Courts formed after

Independence were because of state reorganisation and the same state reorganisation had the

provision for the same.

CALCUTTA HIGH COURT

The High Court at Calcutta, formerly known as the High Court of Judicature at

Fort William, was brought into existence by the Letters Patent dated 14th May, 1862, issued

under the High Court's Act, 1861, which provided that the jurisdiction and powers of the High

Court were to be defined by Letters Patent. The High Court of Judicature at Fort William was

formally opened on 1st July, 1862, with Sir Barnes Peacock as its first Chief Justice. Justice

Sumboo Nath Pandit appointed on 2nd

February, 1863, was the first Indian to assume office

as a Judge of the Calcutta High Court.

The Calcutta High Court has the distinction of being the first High Court and one of the

three Chartered High Courts to be set up in India, along with the High Courts of Bombay,

Madras. It has jurisdiction over the state of West Bengal and the Union Territory of the

Andaman and Nicobar Islands. As per the Calcutta High Court (Extension of Jurisdiction) Act,

1953, the Calcutta High Court's jurisdiction was extended to cover areas of the Andaman and

Nicobar Islands. The Calcutta High Court maintains a permanent circuit bench in Port Blair, the

capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.4

HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY

The 'Indian High Court Act' of 1861, vested in the Queen of England to issue letters

patent under the Seal of the United Kingdom to erect and establish High Courts of Calcutta,

Madras and Bombay. The Indian High Courts Act, 1861 did not by itself create and establish the

4 http://calcuttahighcourt.nic.in/history.htm

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High Courts in India. The express and avowed aim of the Act was to effect a fusion of the

Supreme Courts and the Sudder Adalats in the three Presidencies and this was to be

consummated by issuing Letter Patent. The Charter of High Court of Bombay was issued on

June 26, 1862.

The Bombay High Court was inaugurated on 14th August,1862. The High Court had an

Original as well as an Appellate Jurisdiction the former derived from the Supreme Court, and the

latter from the Sudder Diwani and Sudder Foujdari Adalats, which were merged in the High

Court. With the establishment of the High Court the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code

and Code of Civil Procedure were enacted into law.The Charter of the High Court also made it

the supreme and final court of appeal in all cases, civil and criminal, decided by inferior courts,

except such as possessed the requisite importance, pecuniary or legal, demanding a further

appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

The reorganisation of the States extended the territories of the Bombay State after

Independence and with it the jurisdiction of the High Court was also extensively extended.

Benches of the High Court were established at Nagpur and Rajkot to deal with matters arising

from Vidharbha and Saurashtra districts respectively. In 1960 on the formation of the State of

Gujarat, the Gujarat High Court was set up. In 1981 a Bench of the High Court was notified in

Aurangabad and the Permanent Bench was established in 1984. In accordance with the High

Court at Bombay (Extension of Jurisdiction to Goa, Daman and Diu) Act, 1981, the Panaji (Goa)

Bench of the High Court for the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu was inaugurated in

1982 after their liberation from Portuguese. Later when Goa attained statehood in 1987 the High

Court came to have jurisdiction.5

MADRAS HIGH COURT

British India's three presidency towns of Madras (Chennai), Bombay (Mumbai),

and Calcutta (Kolkata) were each granted a High Court by letters patent dated 26 June 1862. The

letters patent were issued by Queen Victoria under the authority of the British

parliament's Indian High Courts Act 1861. The three courts remain unique in modern India,

having been established under British royal charter; this is in contrast with the country's other

5 http://bombayhighcourt.nic.in/history.php#

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high courts, which have been directly established under Indian legislation. However, the

Constitution of India recognises the status of the older courts.

The Madras High Court was formed by merging the Supreme Court of Judicature at

Madras, and the Sadar Dewani Adalat. It is the highest Court in the state of Tamil Nadu. The

Court was required to decide cases in accordance with justice, equity and good conscience. Sir

Colley Harman Scotland was made its 1st Chief Justice. The first Indian to sit as a judge of the

High Court was Justice T. Muthuswamy Iyer.

The Madras High Court was a pioneer in Original Side jurisdiction reform in favour of

Indian practitioners as early as the 1870s.

Although the name of the city was changed from Madras to Chennai in 1996, the Court

as an institution did not follow suit, and has remained as the Madras High Court.6

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD

In exercise of the powers conferred by the section 16 of Indian High Courts Act, the

Crown by Letters Patent established High Court of Judicature for the North Western Provinces in

1866 at Agra. The High Court was constituted to be a Court of Record (Clause I). On its

establishment, the Sadar Diwani Adalat and Sadar Nizamat Adalat functioning in the Province of

Agra for the Last 35 years were abolished and the High Court by virtue of its Letters Patent and

of sections 16 and 9 of the Act became vested with all the appellate and superintending powers,

authority and jurisdiction of the Courts abolished. By its Letters Patent the High Court was also

vested with original Jurisdiction in certain special matters with the same powers and authority as

possessed in those matters by the Calcutta High Court. Sir Walter Morgan, Barrister-at-Law and

Mr. Simpson were appointed the first Chief Justice and the first Registrar respectively of the

High Court of North-Western Provinces. The location High Court for the North-Western

Provinces was shifted from Agra to Allahabad in 1869 and the name was correspondingly

changed to the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad from 11 March 1919.7

6 http://www.hcmadras.tn.nic.in/hhist.htm 7 http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/history.htm

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In November 1925, the Oudh Judicial Commissioner's Court was replaced by the Oudh

Chief Court at Lucknow by the Oudh Civil Courts Act of 1925, enacted by the United Provinces

Legislature with the previous sanction of the Governor General the passing of this Act.

In February, 1948, the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a resolution

requesting the Governor to submit to the Governor General the request of the Assembly to the

effect that the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad and the Oudh Chief Court be amalgamated.

Consequently, the Chief Court of Oudh was amalgamated with the High Court of Allahabad with

a Lucknow as its permanent bench.

When the state of Uttaranchal, now known as Uttarakhand, was carved out of Uttar

Pradesh in 2000, this high court ceased to have jurisdiction over the districts falling in

Uttaranchal

HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

The history of the Karnataka High Court can be traced back to the year 1884 when the

Chief Court of Mysore was created with three judges and was designated as the highest court of

appeal, reference and revision in the State of Mysore, the earlier name of Karnataka. It came into

existence by Mysore High Court Act 1884. The court had District Courts, Sub-ordinate Judges'

Courts and Munsiff Courts to assist it on civil cases and a Court of Sessions, District Magistrate

and First, Second and Third Class Magistrates to assist it on criminal cases. In 1881, the office of

the Chief Judge was created and the designated person had the utmost authority in the court. In

1930, it was renamed as the High Court of Mysore and the Chief Judge was given the new name

of Chief Justice. In 1973, it got its present name of Karnataka High Court.8 Two circuit benches

of the High court at Dharwad and Gulbarga has now been made permanent benches from

August, 2013.

THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Proclamation made by the Governor-General of India on the 22nd

March, 1912 the

territories of Bihar and Orissa which were formerly subject to and included within the limits of

the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal, were promoted to the status of a separate province.

8 http://karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in/history.html

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The Patna High Court was established by Letters Patent,on 9th

February 1916 and later affiliated

under the Government of India Act, 1915. It was ushered into existence with Circuit sittings at

Cuttack, and form the 26th February, 1916. The date on which the aforesaid Letters Patent was

published in the Gazette of India, the High Court of Judicature at Fort William in Bengal ceased

to exercise jurisdiction, Civil, Criminal, Admiralty, Matrimonial, Testamentary and Intestate,

Enrolment, etc. in all matters in which jurisdiction was given to the High Court of Judicature at

Patna. Thus the ancient city of Pataliputra had a High Court of its own in 1916 with Sir Edward

Maynard Des Champs Chamier, Barrister-at-Law as its first Chief Justice.9

HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH

The present state of Madhya Pradesh, as is well known, was originally created as Central

Province on 02/11/1861, as Judicial Commission's territory and was administered by the Judicial

Commissioner. The Judicial Commissioner's court was at Nagpur, at that time, the highest Court

of the territory. It was converted into a Governor's province in 1921, when it became entitled to a

full-fledged High Court for administration of Justice.

Thereafter, by virtue of Letters Patent dated 2 January 1936, issued under Section 108 of

the Government of India Act, 1915, by King Emperor, George the Fifth established Nagpur High

Court for Central Provinces. This Letters Patent, continued in force even after the adoption of the

constitution of India on 26 January 1950 by virtue of Articles 225 & 372 thereof.

On 1 November 1956, new state of Madhya Pradesh was constituted under States

Reorganization Act. Subsection (1) of Section 49 of the States Re-organization Act ordained that

from the appointed day i.e., 1 November 1956, the High Court exercising jurisdiction, in relation

to the existing state of Madhya Pradesh, i.e. Nagpur High Court, shall be deemed to be the High

Court for the present state of Madhya Pradesh. Thus Nagpur High Court was not abolished but

by a legal fiction it became High Court for the new state of Madhya Pradesh with its seat

at Jabalpur with Justice M. Hidayatullah as its Chief Justice.

9 http://patnahighcourt.bih.nic.in/about.htm

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Later in 1956, two temporary benches of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh were

constituted at Indore and at Gwalior which later became permanent benches in 1968.10

HIGH COURT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR

The full-fledged High Court of Judicature for the Jammu and Kashmir State was

established in the year 1928. Prior to the establishment of High Court of Judicature, the Ruler of

the State (Maharaja) was the final authority in the administration of justice. In the year 1889, the

British Government asked the then Ruler of the State, Maharaja Partap Singh to appoint a

Council and the Judicial member of the Council exercised all the appellate powers both on civil

and criminal side. The State having two provinces – Jammu and Kashmir, had chief judges

exercising judicial authority but acted under the superintendence and control of the Law member

of the Council. Later the Council was abolished and a Minister designated as Judge of the High

Court was appointed by the Ruler to decide judicial cases. In 1927 a new Constitution was

sanctioned by the then Ruler of the State and instead of Law Member, a Ministry in the Judicial

Department was created.

Thereafter, in 1928, by virtue of an Order, the High Court of Judicature was

established.On 26.3.1928, the Maharaja appointed Lala Kanwar Sein as the First Chief Justice of

the Court. The usual places of sitting of the High Court used to be Jammu and Srinagar.

In September, 1943, Letters Patent was conferred on the High Court. In 1954 vide

Constitution Application Order of 1954; the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court was extended to

the State of J&K. In 1957, by the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution Act, an independent judicial

body with the High Court of Judicature at the top was created.

From May to end October, The Chief Justice and the Administrative Wing of High Court

shifts to Srinagar in May, while from November to end April, the HQ is at Jammu. However,

Court sections of both the Jammu and Srinagar Wings of the High Court function throughout the

year.11

10 http://mphighcourt.nic.in/history_mp.htm 11 http://jkhighcourt.nic.in/history.html

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HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

After independence of India, the old province of Punjab was divided into West Punjab

(Pakistan) and East Punjab (India). The High Court at Lahore being in Pakistan, ceased to have

jurisdiction over Delhi and East Punjab. The question of location of the new High Court for these

provinces arose.

The East Punjab High Court of judicature was established at Shimla on August 15, 1947

by the Governor General's High Court (Punjab) Order 1947 issued under Section 9 of the Indian

Independence Act, 1947. In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 229 (1) of the

Government of India Act, 1935, the High Court of East Punjab was also made a court of record

and as provided by Clause 5 of the said order, it had in respect of the provinces of Punjab and

Delhi, all such original, appellate and other jurisdictions as under the law in force immediately

before the August 15, 1947, was exercisable in respect of those territories by the High Court at

Lahore. The East Punjab High Court was the successor and continuation of the High Court at

Lahore. The decisions of Lahore High Court were binding on the Punjab High Court on the

principle of stare decisis. The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950. The

State of East Punjab came to be known as the Punjab now and accordingly, the name of the High

Court was also changed. As per Article 214(2) of the Constitution of India, the High Court was

to be continued along with other High Courts.

On account of its inclement weather in winters, it was very inconvenient for the litigants

to go to Shimla. Accordingly, the seat of the High Court was shifted to Chandigarh. The Court

started functioning at Chandigarh from January 17, 1955.

There existed the Patiala and East Punjab State Union (Pepsu) along the State of Punjab,

which had also its own High Court known as 'Pepsu High Court'. However by the States Re-

organisation Act, 1956 the State of Pepsu was merged in the State of Punjab. The Punjab High

Court also assumed jurisdiction over the territories which were earlier under the Pepsu High

Court.

A new chapter opened in the history of the High Court in the year 1966. The States Re-

organisation Act, 1966, brought another State named Haryana and the Union Territory of

Chandigarh into existence from November 1st, 1966. From the date of enforcement of the said

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Re-organisation Act, the High Court of Punjab was renamed as 'the High Court of Punjab and

Haryana'. The Judges of the High Court of Punjab became Judges of the common High Court

with all the powers and jurisdiction of the High Court of Punjab. However, the principal seat of

the High Court remained at Chandigarh.12

ODISHA HIGH COURT

The Odisha High Court is the High Court of the state of Odisha. The establishment

Odisha High Court was only possible after the formation of Odisha state which was a part of

Bengal until 1912. Bengal Presidency was a vast province including present

day Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. It was difficult to administratively

manage such a vast area, inhabited by people speaking in different languages and having

different traditions. Administrative exigencies required separation of such areas which originally

did not from part of Bengal. So, new province of Bihar and Odisha was formed on March 22,

1912. However, the said new province of Bihar and Odisha was under the jurisdiction

of Calcutta High Court.

On February 9, 1916, in exercise of the powers under Section 113 of the Government of

India Act, 1915, the King of England issued letters of patent constituting High Court of Patna.

Orissa was placed under the jurisdiction of Patna High Court.

On April 1, 1936, Orissa was made a separate province but no separate High Court was

provided for it. People raised their voice for a separate High Court in their state. After a long

battle, Government of India agreed to create a new High Court, and for that purpose the

Government of India issued the Orissa High Court Order, 1948, under the Section 229(1) of the

Government of India Act, 1935, on April 30, 1948. This order clearly stated that "from the

5th day of July, 1948, there shall be a Court for the Province of Odisha, which shall be a Court of

Record". Finally, on July 26, 1948, Odisha High Court was formally inaugurated with its seat at

Cuttack. Justic Bira Kishore Ray was made its 1st Chief Justice.

13

12 http://www.highcourtchd.gov.in/index.php?trs=history 13 http://www.orissahighcourt.nic.in/history.asp

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GAUHATI HIGH COURT

The Gauhati High Court was established after Indian independence, the Assam

Legislative Assembly adopted a resolution on 9th September, 1947 that a High Court be

established for the Province of Assam. In exercise of power conferred by sub – section (1) of

section 229 of the Government of India Act, 1935 as adopted by the Indian Provincial

Constitution (Amendment) Order, 1948, the Governor General of India was pleased to

promulgate on 1st March 1948 the Assam High Court Order, 1948 establishing the High Court of

Assam. It was inaugurated on 5 April 1948 by Harilal Kania, the Chief Justice of India. Sir R.F.

Lodge was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the Assam High Court on the same day. The

Assam High Court initially had its sittings at Shillong but shifted to Guwahati on 14 August

1948.

Later, when Nagaland state was created on 1 December 1963, the Assam High Court

was renamed as the High Court of Assam and Nagaland. On re-organization of the northeastern

region of India by the North Eastern Area (Re-organization) Act, 1971, a common High Court

was established for the five northeastern states: Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and

Tripura and the two Union Territories: Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. It was again renamed as

the Gauhati High Court. The Gauhati High Court till this year had jurisdiction over the states of

Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh till Manipur

Meghalaya and Tripura got there separate High Courts. Now Gauhati High Court has been left

with three benches at Kohima bench for Nagaland state (established on 1 December 1972),

Aizawl bench for Mizoram state (established on 5 July 1990) and, Itanagar bench for Arunachal

Pradesh state (established on 12 August 2000).14

HIGH COURT OF RAJASTHAN

The state of Rajasthan was established after the Independence of India by bringing the

small princely Rajput states under one umbrella. The Rajasthan High Court is the High Court of

the state of Rajasthan. It was established on 21 June 1949 under the Rajasthan High Court

Ordinance, 1949. The seat of the court was established at Jodhpur.

14 http://ghconline.gov.in/Gauhati

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The High Court of Rajasthan was founded in 1949 at Jodhpur, and was inaugurated by

the Rajpramukh, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh on 29 August 1949. The first Chief Justice was

Kamala Kant Verma. A bench was formed at Jaipur which was dissolved in 1958 and was again

formed on 31 January 1977.Hon’ble Justice Kamala Kant Verma was made its 1st Chief Justice.

The Constitution of India came into force on 26.1.1950 and the State of Rajasthan

therein was given the status of ‘B’ Class State. The strength of the High Court Judges was also

reduced and it was also essential that the Judges must confirm to the eligibility provided under

the Constitution of India. In 1956 State Re-organisation Act was passed. Consequent upon the

recommendation of State Re-organisation Commission, the Union Territory of Ajmer Merwara

which had the Status of Part ‘C’ States, Abu, Sunel and Tappa areas merged into the State of

Rajasthan and the Reorganised Unit is the Rajasthan of today which was given the status of ‘A’

Class State, on 1st November, 1956. The coming of Constitution also made that to see whether

the sitting judges of the High Court of Rajasthan were capable enough or not. Six Judges of the

High Court were found fit to be appointed, therefore, President of India, issued fresh warrants of

appointment and once again the Oath taking ceremony those judges took place on 1st Nov,

1956.15

HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

The State of Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956 by the merger of the Andhra State

which was formed in year 1953(By Dividing Madras State) and the Telangana area of the

Hyderabad State which was acceded by Govt. of India on 17 Sep 1948 from Nizam. The Andhra

Pradesh High Court is the High Court of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was set up on 5

November, 1956 under the state reorganisation act 1956. The High Court of Andhra Pradesh was

established at Hyderabad and Justice Jeevan Yar Jung was made its 1st Chief Justice.

16

15 http://hcraj.nic.in/history.htm 16 http://hc.ap.nic.in/aphc/history.html.

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HIGH COURT OF KERALA

High Court of Kerala came into being from 1st November 1956, with its seat at

Ernakulam. Its roots go back to the Rulers of Travancore-Cochin, to Colonel Munro - the British

Resident and Diwan in the Travancore State and the political agent in Cochin State- the architect

of the well regulated judicial system in both these native states, to the High Court of Madras with

its tradition of a hundred years and over, to the Travancore High Court, to the Cochin High Court

and to the Travancore Cochin High Court.Till the time of Colonel Munro who was the British

Resident and Diwan of Travancore there was no provision for the administration of justice in the

form of independent Tribunals. In order to reform the Judicial System he submitted a regulation

to reorganise the courts. Her Highness the Rani who insisted upon the preservation of the trial by

ordeal passed the Regulation in 1811.

In 1811, Zilla courts were established and in 1814, a Huzur Court (Court of Appeal) was

also established. The Huzur Court was the final court of appeal. The Sadar Court replaced this

court of appeal (Huzur Court) in 1861. The Sadar Court practically possessed all the powers now

exercised by the High Court; it functioned from 1861 to 1881. The High Court of Travancore

was established in 1887.

It was during the Diwanship of Col. Munro in 1812 A.D. that graded law courts came

to be established for the first time in Cochin State, prior to that Desavazhis and Naduvazhis

settled disputes according to custom. More serious disputes were sometimes taken to the king

himself. Col.Munro established two Sub Courts one at Trichur and other at Tripunithura. A

Huzur court of final appeal with three judges was also established in Ernakulam. This system

continued till 1835. The Huzur Court was reconstituted as the Raja's Court of Appeal and the

Sub Courts were reconstituted as the Zilla Court. The Zilla Courts were given unlimited

jurisdiction, but subject to confirmation by the Raja's court of appeal. It was in 1900 that the

Raja's Court of appeal was reconstituted as the Chief Court of Cochin with three permanent

Judges. Thereafter, during the Diwanship of Sri. Shanmukham Chettiyar, the Chief Court

became the High Court. On the integration of Travancore - Cochin State after independence on

1st July 1949, it was on the 7th of July 1949 that the High Court of Travancore-Cochin was

inaugurated with its seat at Ernakulam. Under the state re-organisation Act, 1956 Travancore

Page 20: Establishment of High Courts in India

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Cochin State and Malabar were integrated to form the State of Kerala; on 1st November

1956.High Court of Kerala was thus established on that day.Its territorial jurisdiction extends to

the entire State of Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. The Kerala High Court seat

was then established at Ernakulum and Justice K. T. Koshi was appointed as the first Chief

Justice of High Court of Kerala17

. The High Court of Kerala has also had a proposed bench at

Thiruvananthapuram, for which Kerala government has already passed a resolution.

HIGH COURT OF GUJRAT

The State of Bombay which came to be formed in the year 1956 under the Act of 1956

was further reorganised under the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 (Act of 1960). The

appointed day of the said Act is 1st of May 1960. Under section 3 of the Act of 1960, State of

Gujarat was formed comprising some of the territories of Bombay. The separate High Court for

the State of Gujarat was established under section 28 of the Act of 1960.The High Court of

Gujarat, under section 30 of the said Act was conferred jurisdiction in respect of the territories

included in the State of Gujarat having the same powers and the jurisdiction which the High

Court of Bombay had in respect of the said territories immediately before the appointed date. 18

The seat of the court was established at Ahmedabad and Mr. Justice Sunderlal Trikamlal

Desai was made its first Chief Justice.

HIGH COURT OF DELHI

The High Court of Delhi was established on 31st October, 1966. Initially, the High Court

of Judicature at Lahore, exercised jurisdiction over the then provinces of the Punjab and Delhi.

This position continued till the Indian Independence.

The High Courts (Punjab) Order, 1947 established a new High Court for the territory of

what was then called the East Punjab with effect from 15th August, 1947.The High Court of East

Punjab started functioning from Shimla. The High Court of Punjab, as it is later came to be

called, exercised jurisdiction over Delhi through a Circuit Bench which dealt with the cases

pertaining to the Union Territory of Delhi and the Delhi Administration. In view of the

17 http://highcourtofkerala.nic.in/# 18 http://gujarathighcourt.nic.in/

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importance of Delhi, its population and other considerations, Parliament thought it necessary to

establish a new High Court of Delhi. This was achieved by enacting the Delhi High Court Act,

1966. By virtue of Section 3(1) of the Delhi High Court Act, the Central Government was

empowered to appoint a date by a notification in the official gazette, establishing a High Court

for the Union Territory of Delhi.

The High Court of Delhi initially exercised jurisdiction not only over the Union Territory

of Delhi, but also Himachal Pradesh. The High Court of Delhi had a Himachal Pradesh Bench at

Shimla. The High Court of Delhi continued to exercise jurisdiction over Himachal Pradesh until

the State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 was enforced on 25th January, 1971.

HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

The Himachal Pradesh High Court is the High Court of the state of Himachal Pradesh.

The Himachal Pradesh was born as a result of integration of tweenty six Shimla and four Punjab

hill States into a Centrally Administered Area on April 15, 1948. The Central Government

promulgated the Himachal Pradesh (Courts) Order, 1948 on 15 August 1948. Under this Order,

the Court of Judicial Commissioner was established for Himachal Pradesh. It was vested with the

powers of a High Court under the Judicial Commissioner's Court Act, 1950. The Court of

Judicial commissioner started functioning on August 15, 1948.

In the year 1966, the Delhi High Court Act was enacted and the Central Government of

India extended jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court to the Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh,

replacing the Court of Judicial Commissioner by the Himachal Bench of Delhi High Court, at

Shimla.

On 18 December 1970, the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and

the new state came into being on 25 January 1971 and established its own High Court. The High

Court of Himachal Pradesh became the 17th High Court in India. The seat of the court is Shimla,

the administrative capital of the state.19

19 http://hphighcourt.nic.in/index.htm

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HIGH COURT OF SIKKIM.

Sikkim has a past history of its own. Prior to its merger with the Union of India in the

year 1975 by the Constitution (Thirty Sixth Amendment) Act, 1975, the erstwhile Sikkim was

under a monarchy. The King who was popularly known as “the Chogyal” was the fountainhead

of justice. Kings words were the laws. Under the then administrative set up there was no place

for an independent judiciary. The judicial procedure being followed then was very simple and

free from legal technicalities. The Courts were dispensing substantive justice based on the

principle of justice, equity and good conscience. Lawyers were not allowed to appear in Court.

In 1916, an Appellate Courts by the designation of Chief Court was created with

jurisdiction to try important original suits and also to hear appeals against the decisions of the

Adda Courts. This Court also exercised supervisory and appellate jurisdiction over the Adda

Courts. The Chief Court was not the final Court. The appeal against the decision of the Chief

Court would lie to the Supreme Court of His Highness, the Maharaja. The Court of the Maharaja

was the final Court of appeal in the State. It has no original jurisdiction. A Board on the lines of

the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England, would hear the parties and scrutinize the

evidence regarding merit of the case and then tender its opinion to the Maharaja.20

From the available records it appears that in 1953, a Judge of the High Court of Sikkim

was appointed but in 1955, High Court of Judicature (Jurisdiction and Powers) Proclamation,

1955 was issued establishing a High Court in Sikkim. The High Court thus established was made

the final Court in all judicial matters, civil or criminal, subject to the exercise of prerogative by

the Maharaja to grant mercy, pardon, remission, commutation and reduction of sentence in case

of conviction. The Maharaja had also retained his prerogative to set up a Special Tribunal for the

review of any case, civil or criminal.

Upon merger, Sikkim became the 22nd State of India. The High Court her was

established under 38th

amendment to the Constitution of India Under Clause (i) of Article 371F,

the High Court functioning immediately prior to the date of merger became the High Court for

the State of Sikkim under the Constitution like any other High Court in the country.. Under

Clause (i) of the same Article all Courts of Civil, Criminal and Revenue Jurisdiction, all

20 Historical Perspective of Sikkim Judiciary, by Hon’ble Shri Justice A.P. Subba,Former Judge, High Court of

Sikkim, Gangtok.

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Page | 23

Authorities and all Officers, Judicial, Executive and Ministerial throughout Sikkim were to

continue to exercise their respective powers subject to the provisions of the Constitution and

under Clause (k) all laws in force immediately before the appointed day in Sikkim were to

continue to be in force until amended or repealed by a competent legislature or other competent

authority.21

The Government of Sikkim Act, 1974, which came to be passed in the Sikkim Assembly

(which received the assent of the Chogyal on 4th July, 1974) in pursuance of the historical

agreement of 8th May, 1973, between the Chogyal, the leaders of the political parties

representing the people of Sikkim and Government of India, provided that all Judges in Sikkim

shall be independent in exercise of their judicial function. In keeping with the ideal and the set

goal, the process of separation of judiciary from the executive started soon after the merger.

CREATION OF THREE NEW HIGH COURTS UNDER UTTAR PRADESH, MADHYA

PRADESH, BIHAR REORGANISATION ACT, 2000 IN THE STATES OF

CHHATTISGARH UTTRAKHAND AND BIHAR.

In November, 2000 Parliament enacted the Reorganisation Acts of Uttar Pradesh,

Madhya Pradesh and Bihar which led to the creation of three new states of Uttarakhand,

Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, one from each state respectively. The creation of these states also

led to the creation three new High Courts one in each state. The High courts that were created

were already enacted and passed by the parliament in the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act,

2000, Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 and Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000.

High Court of Chhattisgarh

The Government of India issued a Presidential notification under Section 21 (2) of the

Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act for the formation of High Court of Chhattisgarh State, to

be formed on November 1 which would be situated at Bilaspur.22

The High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur became the 19th High Court of India with its

jurisdiction over the state of Chhattisgarh. Justice R. S. Garg was the first acting Chief Justice of

21 http://highcourtofsikkim.nic.in/#. 22 http://www.hindu.com/2000/10/28/stories/01280002.htm.

Page 24: Establishment of High Courts in India

Page | 24

the Chhattisgarh High Court. Justice W.A. Shishak, became the first Chief Justice of

Chhattisgarh High Court on 4 December, 2000.

High Court of Uttrakhand

The Uttarakhand State was carved out from erstwhile State of Uttar Pradesh on

09/11/2000 under the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000. At the time of the creation of the

State, the High Court of Uttarakhand was also established on the same day at Nainital.23

The

High Court was created under Section 21 (2) of the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act. The High

Court the jurisdiction over the new state of Uttrakhand and became the 20th

High Court in India.

Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ashok A. Desai was the founder Chief Justice of the High Court.

Jharkhand High Court

A circuit bench of the Patna High Court was established in 1972 at Ranchi under clause

36 of the Letter Patent of that High Court. The bench was established to meet the needs of the

Adivasi Population of the Chota Nagpur area in erthswhile State of Bihar. The Circuit bench was

made Permanent Bench of Patna High Court, by Act no. 57 of 1976, by High Court at Patna

(Establishment of Permanent Bench at Ranchi) Act 1976.24

The Jharkhand High Court came into existence after reorganisation of state of Bihar in

existing state of Bihar and Jharkhand on 15th November 2000.The High Court was formed under

Section 21 (2) of the Bihar Reorganisation Act Justice Vinod Kumar Gupta became the first

Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court on 5th

December, 2000 ealier he was the acting Chief

Justice of The Jharkhand High Court.

23 http://highcourtofuttarakhand.gov.in/pages/display/154-about-us. 24 http://jharkhandhighcourt.nic.in/History.html.

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ESTABLISHMENT OF THREE NEW HIGH COURTS IN MEGHALAYA MANIPUR

AND TRIPURA.

The North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill,

2012 was put in the Lok Sabha as Bill No. 47 of 2012.25

The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha

on 12th

May, 2012 and allowed the states of Manipur Meghalaya and Tripura to have there own

separate High Courts, by amending the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971 and

Other Related Laws. Earlier all these states along with Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal

Pradesh had benches of Guwahati High Court which is in Assam.

High Court of Meghalaya.

In 1947, the Gauhati High Court was established on the 9th of September on a resolution

adopted by the Assam Legislative Assembly that a High Court be established for the Province of

Assam.. The Assam High Court initially had its sittings at Shillong but later on shifted to

Gauhati. On re- organization of the North – Eastern region by the North Eastern Area

(reorganization) Act, 1971 a Common High Court was established for the five North Eastern

States of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura and the two Union Territories

(Union Territory of Mizoram and the Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh) and has come to be

called as the Gauhati High Court.

The High Court of Assam in its inception was established in Shillong as it was the

Capital of the then erstwhile Assam province. It was housed for some time in a portion of the

then Assam Legislative Building. But not until a few decades back that a permanent Bench was

established in the Capital on the 4th February, 1995.The Shillong Bench of the Gauhati High

Court as a Circuit Bench was not sitting regularly till the establishment of the Permanent

Bench.26

As much as the Constitutional mandate to provide a High Court for every State is

embodied in our Constitution yet the Impediment to constitution of a separate High Court was a

25http://www.prsindia.org/uploads/media/North-Eastern%20Areas%20(Reorganisation)/North-

Eastern%20Areas%20(Reorganisation)%20and%20other%20Related%20Laws%20(Amendment)%20Bill,%202012

.pdf. 26 http://meghalayahighcourt.nic.in/History.html.

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provision in the North – Eastern Areas Re- Organization Act 1971, which had provided for a

single High Court in Guahati for the entire region. The separate Benches in all States could not

be substituted for separate High Courts without amending the said Law. Therefore, last year the

North Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971 that was amended to paved the way for the

creation of the separate High Court, by pass North-Eastern Areas (Reorganization) and Other

Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012.

The Meghalaya High Court is the High Court for the state of Meghalaya. The seat of the

High Court was established at Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Justice T Meena Kumari

became the first Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya. It was inaugurated on the 25th

March, 2013 by then Chief Justice of India Hon’ble Shri Justice Altamas Kabir. It was the first

of the three new High Courts in North-East to be inaugurated.

High Court of Tripura.

There was common High Court for the five North-Eastern States on re-organization of

the North-Eastern regions by the North Eastern Area (Re-organization) Act, 1971. The High

Court was situate d at Gauhati and has jurisdiction over Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya

and Tripura and the two Union Territories of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. The High Court

of Gauhati had a bench at Imphal for hearing up the matters of the state.

The Tripura High Court is the High Court of the state of Tripura. It was established in

March 2013, after making suitable amendments in the Constitution of India and North-Eastern

Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971. The seat of the High Court is situated at Agartala, the capital

of Tripura. Justice Deepak Gupta was made the first Chief Justice of Tripura High Court and

took oath on 23rd

March 2013.

High Court of Manipur.

A common High Court was established for the five North-Eastern States on re-

organization of the North-Eastern region by the North Eastern Area (Re-organization) Act, 1971,

for the states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura and the two Union

Territories namely Union Territory of Mizoram and the Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh

and called as the Gauhati High Court.

Page 27: Establishment of High Courts in India

Page | 27

When Manipur attained Statehood, Imphal Bench of the Gauhati High Court came into

existence on 21st January 1972. In exercise of the power conferred by Sub-section (2) of Section

31 of the North Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971, the President of India established a

permanent Bench of the Gauhati High Court at Imphal, through Gauhati High Court

(Establishment of Permanent Bench at Imphal) order dated 21st January, 1992.27

On 16th May, 2012, Parliament passed a bill amending the North Eastern Areas Re-

organisation Act, 2012 which received the accent of the President of India on Monday, the 4th

June, 2013. The Central Government, exercised the powers conferred to it by sub-section (2) of

Section 1 of the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganization) and Other Related Laws (Amendment)

Act, 2012, said that on 23rd

March, 2013 North Eastern Areas Re-organisation Act, 2012 will

come into force. Therefore, High Court of Manipur came into existence on 23rd

March, 2013.

The President of India, exercising his power conferred by the sub-section (2) of Section 28A of

the North Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971 has appointed that the Principal Seat of the

High Court of Manipur will be at Imphal.28

Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre took oath of office as the first Chief Justice of the High

Court of Manipur on 23rd

March, 2013, from the Governor of Manipur.29

The High Court of

Manipur at Imphal was formally inaugurated by Hon’ble Shri Justice Altamas Kabir, the Chief

Justice of India on 25th March, 2013.

27 http://hcmimphal.nic.in/history.html 28 Order No.K-11018/9/2012-US.I dated 20th March, 2013, the Govt. of India, Ministry of Law & Justice,

Department of Justice, as published in the Extraordinary Gazette of India dated 20th March, 2013. 29 http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=mar2413/oth06.

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CONCLUSION

The High Court are established in each state with a view for speedy discharge of justice. The

total strength of the Judges in High Court is 906 which tell that there is only 1 judge per 1.34

million people. The situation in the country is even worse as one-third on the posts is lying

vacant. The basic purpose of the establishment of High Courts can only be filled if the number of

posts are increased anf the vacant are filled. Moreover, the time taken for disposal of cases

should also decrease so that early justice is provided.

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BIBLOGRAPHY

Authorities

http://www.prsindia.org/uploads/media/North-

Eastern%20Areas%20(Reorganisation)/North-

Eastern%20Areas%20(Reorganisation)%20and%20other%20Related%20Laws%20(Ame

ndment)%20Bill,%202012.pdf.

Order No.K-11018/9/2012-US.I dated 20th March, 2013, the Govt. of India, Ministry of

Law & Justice, Department of Justice, as published in the Extraordinary Gazette of India

dated 20th March, 2013.

Books and Articles

Historical Perspective of Sikkim Judiciary, by Hon’ble Shri Justice A.P. Subba,Former

Judge, High Court of Sikkim, Gangtok.

http://admiraltypractice.com/chapters/1.htm

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=mar2413/oth06

http://www.hindu.com/2000/10/28/stories/01280002.htm.

Websites

http://bombayhighcourt.nic.in/history.php

http://calcuttahighcourt.nic.in/history.htm

http://ghconline.gov.in/Gauhati

http://gujarathighcourt.nic.in

http://hc.ap.nic.in/aphc/history.html.

http://hcmimphal.nic.in/history.html

http://hcraj.nic.in/history.htm

http://highcourtofkerala.nic.in/#

http://highcourtofsikkim.nic.in/#.

http://highcourtofuttarakhand.gov.in/pages/display/154-about-us.

http://hphighcourt.nic.in/index.htm

http://indiancourts.nic.in

Page 30: Establishment of High Courts in India

Page | 30

http://jharkhandhighcourt.nic.in/History.html.

http://jkhighcourt.nic.in/history.html

http://karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in/history.html

http://meghalayahighcourt.nic.in/History.html

http://mphighcourt.nic.in/history_mp.htm

http://patnahighcourt.bih.nic.in/about.htm

http://realityviews.blogspot.in/2010/07/part-24-indian-legal-history-indian.html

http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/history.htm

http://www.hcmadras.tn.nic.in/hhist.htm

http://www.highcourtchd.gov.in/index.php?trs=history

http://www.orissahighcourt.nic.in/history.asp