Himanta Biswa Sarma Inaugurates ₹52 Crore Kamrup Court Complex, Calls for Speedy Justice and AI-Driven Legal Reforms

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Emphasizes Swift Justice, Inaugurates ₹52.25 Crore Kamrup District Court Complex

On Friday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma underlined the crucial role of an efficient judicial system for a robust democracy. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the newly built Kamrup District Court Complex in Amingaon, he stressed that swift delivery of justice is essential to uphold public trust and strengthen democratic governance.

Highlighting the problem of delayed justice, the Chief Minister remarked that "Justice delayed is justice denied", and a faster justice system directly contributes to the resilience of the democratic framework. He acknowledged that Assam's conviction rate, which was a mere 5% in 2021, has now improved to 26% due to systematic progress in case registration, investigation, and trial processes. However, he also admitted that this still lags significantly behind the national average of 65%.

Sarma strongly emphasized the impact of case pendency, which affects both complainants and the accused. To resolve this issue, he called for the adoption of modern technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to increase judicial productivity and facilitate quicker resolutions. He believes that AI-based interventions could streamline workflows, reduce delays, and make the entire judicial process more transparent and accountable.

He also stated that the state government is actively recruiting public prosecutors to strengthen the legal prosecution system. Additionally, he appealed to the Gauhati High Court and the National Judicial Academy to focus on the training of new legal recruits, ensuring they are well-prepared to contribute to the expedited disposal of long-pending cases.

Citing recent government reforms, the Chief Minister reported a 60% decline in crime registration over the past four years and the introduction of three new criminal laws. He expressed confidence that these reforms would significantly transform Assam's justice delivery system.

Sarma also announced that the construction of a new Gauhati High Court building in North Guwahati is set to commence within the next year, aiming to further boost judicial infrastructure in the state.

The newly inaugurated Kamrup District Court Complex, constructed at a cost of ₹52.25 crore, is spread over 13,303 square metres. The complex features 14 modern courtrooms, along with chambers for judges and stenographers, administrative offices, a conference hall, and a dedicated video conferencing room.

In line with digital transformation goals, the facility is equipped with a digital library, an audio-visual room, and office space for Legal Aid Defence Counsels. It also includes an e-Seva Kendra to enhance citizen access to legal services. To support vulnerable groups, the complex has a special witness room designed for sensitive testimonies and lock-up facilities for male, female, and third-gender detainees.

The inauguration event was attended by several dignitaries, including Minister of Law & Justice Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court Justice Ashutosh Kumar, and Justices Michael Zothankhuma and Kalyan Rai Surana, along with Kamrup District and Sessions Judge Gautam Baruah.

The event marked a major milestone in Assam’s judicial infrastructure, reinforcing the state’s commitment to accessible, timely, and technology-driven justice.