IMPHAL, March 25: Amidst heavy security arrangement, the High Court of Manipur was inaugurated by the Chief Justice of India, Justice Altamas Kabir in the presence of the Chief Minister of Manipur, O Ibobi Singh at a function held today at the High court premises at Chingmeirong.
The function was also attended by Ashwini Kumar, Union Law and Justice Minister; Justice Altaf Alam, Judge Supreme Court; Justice Anil R Dhavey, Judge Supreme Court; Abhay Manohat Sapre, Chief Justice of Manipur High Court; Justice N Koteshwor Singh, Judge Manipur High Court; and Justice Adarsh Goyal, Chief Justice of Guwahati High Court.
DS Poonia, Chief Secretary Government of Manipur; Yumnam Joykumar, Director General of Police; and Members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly also attended the function.
During the occasion, Abhay Manohar Sapre said, “We hope and trust that the court will deliver justice and perform its duty without fear and favour. It is my cherished goal to provide worldclass infrastructure to the High Court of Manipur and it will be realized in due course.”
Ashwini Kumar, Union Law and Justice Minister mentioned how the state Chief Minister had earlier approached him for seeking the appointment of a high number of judges for the Manipur High Court. “All possible efforts will be made to bring physical resources and human resources to function the High Court,” he said.
Adding that no amount of security force can make the citizens secure if they do not feel secure, he expressed his optimism that the Chief Justice of Manipur will render, vindicate and validate justice to the people of the state.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said the long cherished desire and dream of the Government of Manipur and the legal fraternity to have the state`s High Court has now become a reality. “With the High Court being set up I can proudly claim that justice may be able to deliver to the doorstep of people of Manipur,” he added.
Pointing out the architectural style of the building, the CM said, “The building of the court is built in traditional Manipuri architecture, and the state PWD has helped with all necessary infrastructures.” He also made a note that effective use of technology, information and communication tools would help in delivering justice.
Giving an assurance that the vacant posts of two Judges for the new High Court of Manipur would be filled up at the earliest, he said the state Government will lend all possible support to the High Court for ensuring its effective functioning to make it one of the best High Courts of the country.
Chief Justice of India, Justice Altamas Kabir congratulated the people of Manipur and said he was certain that this High Court will mete out justice to the people of the state. “Cases of the state were earlier dealt at the Gauhati High Court which results in slow process. Now, they will be taken up at the Manipur High Court which will make the process much faster,” he said.
Pointing out that the goal contained in the preamble of constitution to ensure justice, equality, liberty, fraternity etc have to be achieved not only through government but through the judiciary system, he added that the legal remedy to be made known to the people of the country at the grassroots/doorstep is to set up a High Court.
“Intermingling and interaction between people of the North East and the mainland region will have a positive impact in building the nation. I hope this High Court will one day play a particular role and become a representative High Court of the entire country,” he went on to say.
Mention may be made that the construction work of the High Court was taken up from 2005-06 onwards.