75th Anniversary of Gauhati High Court
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | April 5, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Rs. 5 |
| Quantity | 303,600 |
| Perforation | 14¼ |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Hyderabad |
| Printing Process | Wet Offset |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Credit (Designed By) | Ms. Himani Ms. Nenu Gupta |
| Catalog Codes |
Yvert et Tellier IN 3545 Stanley Gibbons IN 3852 Colnect codes IN 2023.04.05-01 Michel IN 3886 |
| Themes | Anniversaries and Jubilees | Architecture | Buildings | Government Buildings |
Historical Origins
The Gauhati High Court traces its roots to the High Court of Assam. On 9th September 1947, the Assam Legislative Assembly adopted a resolution for the establishment of a High Court in the Province of Assam. Subsequently, under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935, the Governor General of India promulgated the Assam High Court Order, 1948. The High Court of Assam was formally established at Shillong on 5th April 1948, with Sir R.F. Lodge sworn in as its first Chief Justice.
Shifting Seats
- 14th August 1948: The High Court shifted to the Old Commissioner’s Building at Gauhati.
- 20th February 1957: Moved to a dome-structured building, now referred to as the Old Block of the Gauhati High Court.
- 16th December 2013: Shifted to its present location, the New Block, adjacent to the mighty Brahmaputra River.
Jurisdictional Evolution
- With the creation of Nagaland in 1963, it was renamed the High Court of Assam and Nagaland.
- Following the North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971, the Court became the Gauhati High Court, serving Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.
- After 2013, with separate High Courts for Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura, its jurisdiction now covers Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh, with the Principal Seat at Guwahati and permanent Benches at Kohima, Aizawl, and Itanagar.
Judicial Contributions
The Gauhati High Court has played a pioneering role in:
- Separation of the judiciary from the executive in Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Safeguarding the customary laws and practices of the tribal communities, including provisions under Article 371A (Nagaland) and Article 371G (Mizoram).
- Administering justice in a region marked by diverse ethnicities, traditions, and conciliatory dispute resolution systems.
Legacy of Legal Luminaries
The Court’s history is enriched by the contributions of eminent personalities such as:
- Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, former President of India
- Keshab Chandra Gogoi, former Chief Minister of Assam
- Dinesh Goswami, former Union Minister
- Justice Ranjan Gogoi, former Chief Justice of India
Their legacy, along with countless other stalwarts, continues to inspire generations of jurists.
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
On 5th April 2023, the Gauhati High Court proudly celebrates its Platinum Jubilee. Marking 75 years of upholding justice, protecting traditions, and contributing to the progress of the North East, the Department of Posts, Government of India is privileged to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp, saluting the invaluable role of the Gauhati High Court in shaping the legal and cultural fabric of the region.
First Day Cover
