Are ED's 'Reasons To Believe' To Pass Provisional Attachment Order Confidential In Nature? Gauhati High Court Refers Issue To Larger Bench

The Gauhati High Court has referred to the larger bench to decide whether "reasons to believe" to be recorded in writing by Enforcement Directorate's Authorized Officer on the basis of material in his possession to pass a Provisional Attachment Order is confidential in character and whether it must be to be furnished to the affected person. [2026 LiveLaw (Gau) 85]Justice Manish Choudhury in...

Gauhati High Court Upholds Closure Of Plaintiffs' Evidence After 11 Adjournments, Lack Of Due Diligence

The Gauhati High Court refused to permit a party to file affidavit of evidence on noting that they had taken 11 adjournments, observing that though courts have the discretion to permit filing of evidence after delay, such discretion has to be exercised strictly where repeated adjournments have been granted. [2026 LiveLaw (Gau) 84]It held that plaintiffs cannot be allowed to file...

Gauhati High Court Asks Assam Govt To Create Separate Cadre For Community Health Professionals, Expedite Process For Service Benefits

The Gauhati High Court has directed the Assam Government to expedite the process of framing the necessary criteria and modalities for Rural Health Practitioners/Community Health Professionals and create a separate cadre with pay, grade, health and other service benefits. [2026 LiveLaw (Gau) 83]While issuing directions to the State, the Justice Soumitra Saikia observed:“The State will...

NDPS Act | Separate Contraband Recoveries Can't Be Treated As Commercial Quantity Absent Proof Of Joint Possession: Gauhati High Court

The Gauhati High Court has held that separate recoveries of contraband cannot be treated as a single commercial quantity, in the absence of evidence showing that the accused were acting together or were in joint possession of the contraband. [2026 LiveLaw (Gau) 82]On that basis, the Court modified the conviction of three appellants under the NDPS Act and reduced their sentence from 15...

Gauhati High Court Admits PIL Over Assam's Growing Debt, But Flags Judicial Limits In Fiscal Matters

The Gauhati High Court recently admitted a PIL seeking directions to the Assam government to strictly comply with the provisions of the Assam Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005 (as amended).The PIL alleges persistent violations of Sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the AFRBM Act, including failure to limit fiscal deficit to 3% of GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product), elimination...

Under What Circumstances Cancellation of An Examination Is Justified? Answers Gauhati High Court

A Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury held that cancellation of an examination is only justified when the sanctity of the process is compromised at a systemic level and it is impossible to separate tainted candidates from untainted ones; otherwise, segregation of suspicious candidates is required. Background...

Mere Pendency Of Criminal Case Can't Justify Indefinite Withholding Of MBBS Pass Certificate After Course Completion: Gauhati High Court

The Gauhati High Court has held that mere pendency of a criminal proceeding, without any adjudication of guilt, cannot be a valid basis for indefinitely withholding the original Final MBBS Pass Certificate of a candidate who has successfully completed the MBBS course, statutory internship, and has already been granted registration by the competent authority.Justice Budi Habung observed,...

'Jamabandi Entry' Alone Doesn't Create Ownership Rights In Property Without Supporting Title Deed: Gauhati High Court Reiterates

The Gauhati High Court has reiterated that a mere entry in jamabandi or chitha, unsupported by a title deed, does not confer any right, title or interest over land.Justice Kalyan Rai Surana observed, “... though entries in the jamabandi would have some relevance under Regulation 40 of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886. However, when the plaintiffs claim a legal right to the land,...

Custodial Death | Gauhati HC Awards ₹25 Lakh Compensation To Businessman's Widow, Says Pending Trial Against Cops No Bar

The Gauhati High Court earlier this week directed the Assam Government to pay an additional ₹20 lakh, apart from ₹5 lakh already paid as interim relief, as 'palliative' compensation to the widow of a businessman who was allegedly abducted, brutally tortured and killed by police personnel in 2020. While awarding compensation under the public law remedy, a bench of Justice Kalyan...

'Hate Speech' PILs | Selective Parts From Interviews Can Distort True Meaning: Assam CM Tells Gauhati HC, Seeks Full Transcripts

Responding to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pleas seeking action against his alleged hate speeches directed at minority communities, Assam CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has submitted before the Gauhati High Court that the accusations are based on photocopies of news clippings that extract isolated lines capable of distorting his true intent. In his affidavit, Chief Minister Sarma...

Error Apparent On Face Of Record If Court Fails To Consider One Of Multiple Orders Challenged: Gauhati High Court

The Gauhati High Court has held that where two orders are put to challenge, non-consideration of one of the impugned orders would amount to an error apparent on the face of the record, warranting exercise of review jurisdiction.Justice Mridul Kumar Kalita, pressing over the case, observed, “Be that as it may, it is apparent on perusal of the judgment and order under review that no...

Employer Best Suited To Determine Eligibility Of Candidates, Courts Ordinarily Don't Substitute Their View: Gauhati High Court Reiterates

The Gauhati High Court has held that determination of a candidate's eligibility and suitability for a post primarily lies with the employer, and courts ordinarily do not substitute their own view unless the decision-making process is arbitrary, illegal, or contrary to the recruitment criteria.Justice Robin Phukan, presiding over the case, observed, “Thus, an employer is best suited to...