Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma inaugurated the Additional District & Sessions Judge Circuit Court at Serchhip District Court on Friday. The Circuit Court will serve as a venue for hearing cases by the Additional District & Sessions Judge assigned to Serchhip.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister highlighted that the Circuit Court will play a significant role in making the judiciary more accessible, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring specialised justice, particularly in sensitive cases. He pointed out that the new court will be especially useful in handling NDPS cases and POCSO cases.
He further noted that Mizoram continues to grapple with the menace of drugs, which are trafficked through the state’s porous borders, and that cases relating to narcotics remain alarmingly high. In Serchhip district, located along the international border, drug smuggling is rampant, and law enforcement agencies including the Police and Excise Department are heavily engaged in tackling the problem. In addition, the incidence of POCSO cases has also been on the rise, making it imperative to have a higher court closer to the district.
The Government of Mizoram had earlier issued a notification on 25th November 2024 for the establishment of this Circuit Court, assigning the jurisdiction to the Additional District & Sessions Judge-II, Aizawl. However, the process faced delays due to shortage of staff and lack of proper courtroom infrastructure. In June this year, proceedings had commenced through video conferencing, and now, with a fully functional courtroom ready, the court has become operational.
The Separation of Judiciary was implemented in Mizoram in 2006, with Serchhip District Court becoming operational in 2009. Initially, the Judicial Magistrate First Class functioned from the DC Office building until the District Court Building at P&E Veng, Serchhip was inaugurated in 2016. Since then, a Chief Judicial Magistrate has been stationed at Serchhip, hearing criminal and civil cases. However, session trials such as murder, narcotics, POCSO, rape, and anticipatory bail petitions were earlier beyond its jurisdiction. With the inauguration of the Circuit Court today, such cases can now be tried in Serchhip itself. The present Circuit Judge is Julie Lalrinzami, Additional District & Sessions Judge-II, Aizawl.
The inauguration programme was graced by Justice Marli Vankung, Judge, Gauhati High Court. Other dignitaries present included Helen Dawngliani, District & Sessions Judge, Aizawl; Thanglianmang Guite, Secretary, Law & Judicial Department; Paul L. Khuma, Deputy Commissioner, Serchhip; Gavit Gogna, Superintendent of Police, Serchhip; along with senior officials of the Law & Judicial Department, court officials, and members of the Bar Association.
The function concluded with a vote of thanks from Lalrochami Ralte, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Serchhip.
