Separate high court for Nagaland a ‘legitimate right’, says High Court Bar Association

Condemns ‘unethical’ police-lawyer nexus

KOHIMA — The High Court Bar Association (HCBA) on Tuesday resolved to continue pursuing a separate high court for Nagaland, stating that the longstanding demand is a “legitimate right” of the citizens.

During a general body meeting at the GHC Kohima Bench Bar Room, senior advocate and HCBA president, CT Jamir, said that the demand for a separate high court is currently linked with solution to Naga political issue, and as such, the matter has come to a standstill.

The union Home Minister reportedly conveyed to the union Minister of Law that the matter of a separate high court would be taken up with the Naga political issue, he maintained.

Emphasising the need to separate the matter from the Naga political problem, he asserted that the issue would be taken up afresh and urged the members to cooperate.

Regarding the new high court complex, Jamir encouraged members to take a proactive role once the office relocates, which is anticipated by the end of the year.

Among others, the house also declared support for the Kohima Bar Association’s (KBA) stance against an “illicit nexus” between certain lawyers and police officers in Nagaland. It cautioned both lawyers and police officers against engaging in such unethical conduct and resolved to expose these practices through media channels.

Earlier, the KBA had raised concerns about an alleged “burgeoning illicit nexus” between certain lawyers and police officers in Nagaland, claiming that police officers were pressuring accused individuals and their families to hire pre-selected lawyers, who would then share a portion of their fees with the officers as part of a pre-determined arrangement.

The HCBA “unanimously” resolved to condemn such practices and cautioned the lawyers and police officers against indulging in unethical conducts.

Meanwhile, advocate TB Jamir advised upcoming lawyers to be mentally prepared for the challenges of the profession. He said that the initial years would be a testing time and reminded them to stay focused and work hard to become successful lawyers.

Commenting on the “illicit nexus” between certain lawyers and police, he termed the unethical practices very unfortunate and said lawyers must conduct themselves professionally both within and outside the courtroom.

Further, in a move toward greater collaboration, the HCBA also decided to organise a coordination meeting with the High Court Registry to strengthen their working relationship.