History

The District Judiciary of Dhemaji has evolved alongside the administrative development of the district itself. Historically, the present-day Dhemaji district formed a part of the undivided Lakhimpur District during both the colonial and post-independence periods. Consequently, judicial administration for the region was conducted from the Courts located at North Lakhimpur.

Dhemaji attained the status of a Sub-Division in the year 1971 and was subsequently declared a full-fledged district on 14th of October 1989 after being carved out of the erstwhile Lakhimpur District.

Prior to the establishment of the independent District Judiciary of Dhemaji, the Court of the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (Mufassil), Jonai was established on 29th of December 1986 to cater to the judicial needs of the remote eastern region of the district. The Court was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice (Retd.) Khagendra Nath Saikia, marking a significant milestone in extending judicial services to the people of Jonai and adjoining areas.

Following the creation of Dhemaji district, the independent District Judiciary of Dhemaji was formally established in the year 1992 with the setting up of the Court of the District and Sessions Judge, Dhemaji. The newly established judgeship exercised jurisdiction over the entire district, extending up to the Arunachal Pradesh border in the north-east and adjoining areas of Lakhimpur in the west. Mr. J. C. Kalita, A.J.S., became the first District and Sessions Judge of Dhemaji.

In its initial years, the District Judiciary functioned with limited judicial infrastructure and manpower. However, with the gradual increase in judicial and administrative responsibilities, several subordinate courts were established over time to strengthen the justice delivery system in the district. The judgeship gradually expanded to include the courts of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Munsiff, Judicial Magistrates, and other courts of different grades serving both Dhemaji Sadar and Jonai Sub-Divisions.

At present, the District Judiciary of Dhemaji functions under the administrative supervision of the Gauhati High Court and comprises 8 (eight) courts presided over by Judicial Officers of various grades.