New CJI: Huge moment of pride for Assam and NE, say advocates

The legal fraternity in Guwahati Wednesday welcomed the swearing-in of Justice Ranjan Gogoi as the chief justice of India, the first person from the northeast to occupy the post, calling it a "huge moment of pride" for Assam and the region.

Gauhati High Court Bar Association president Atul Buragohain said the association members are very happy over the appointment of Justice Gogoi, as he is its first member to become the chief justice of India.

Justice Gogoi was a member of the association after he became an advocate of the high court nearly four decades ago.

He was born in Dibrugarh in Assam on November 18, 1954, and had enrolled as an advocate of Gauhati High Court in 1978. He practised law on constitutional, taxation and company matters.

Buragohain described Justice Gogoi as a "jewel of the northeast" and not just of Assam.

"He is an illustrious son of Assam - a man of principles and a very honest and upright man with a vision for independence of judiciary and protection of democratic rights," Buragohain told PTI.

The members of the bar association pray for the success of Chief Justice Gogoi and for his long life and good health to serve the country and its people in general and the judiciary in particular, he added.

Justice Gogoi will have a tenure of a little over 13 months.

Senior Supreme Court advocate Upamanyu Hazarika said the assumption of office of chief justice of India by Justice Gogoi is a "huge moment of pride for northeast India and Assam."