Dimapur, June 30 (MExN): In a significant move to fast-track justice in child trafficking cases, the Gauhati High Court has directed that all such cases pending in courts across Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh must be concluded within six months.
As per a circular issued by the Court, the directive follows the April 15 judgment by the Supreme Court of India in Criminal Appeal No. 1927/2025 (Pinki Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh & Anr).
“This Circular shall come into effect immediately,” stated the circular titled “Timebound Disposal of Child Trafficking Cases,” issued by the Registrar General of the Gauhati High Court on June 20.
Trial court record terminology revised
In a separate notification on June 26, the Gauhati High Court also standardised the terminology used for referring to records from lower courts.
“Records of Trial Courts should no longer be referred to as ‘Lower Court Record’ in the cause list. Instead, such records should be mentioned as ‘Trial Court Record (TCR),’” it stated.
Accordingly, in all communications, documents, correspondence, etc., the Registries, Officers, and staff of the Principal Seat, the Outlying Benches, and all Subordinate Courts—as well as all Judicial Officers of the States of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh—shall use the term “Trial Court Record (TCR)” instead of “Lower Court Record (LCR),” it added.
The notification was issued based on an order passed by the Gauhati High Court on June 25, 2025, and another by the Supreme Court of India on May 23 and came into effect immediately, it added.
