Justice KN Saikia no more

Justice KN Saikia no more

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 7: Retired Supreme Court judge Justice Khagendra th Saikia, who headed many an inquiry commission including the one meant for 'secret killings' in the State, passed away at the age of 91 at a city hospital today due to old-age ailment. He leaves behind two sons and four daughters.

His body was taken to his Silpukhuri residence in the city where many people who admire his contribution as a judge thronged. The cremation of his mortal remains will be conducted at bagraha Crematorium tomorrow when his two sons are supposed to arrive in the city from abroad.

Born on March 1, 1926 at Simaluguri Bharalua Gaon in Sivasagar district in the State, Justice KN Saikia had his early education in zira High School. He was graduated in first class in Commerce stream from JB College, Jorhat in 1947 and secured first class first position in MA (Commerce) examition of Calcutta University in 1949. He was appointed as a lecturer in Commerce (evening classes) in Gauhati University in 1950. He passed LL.B. examition of Gauhati University in 1954 securing first class first position. He was then enrolled as an advocate of Gauhati High Court on April 18, 1955. Having passed the examitions, he was admitted as an Associate Member of the Corporation of Certified Secretaries, London in 1956. He also passed LL.M. examition of Gauhati University in 1959 and became the professor of Commerce of Gauhati University in 1964. He then joined as a professor of Law in Dibrugarh University (evening classes) on December 14, 1966 and was permitted to appear in court. He then resigned as a professor in 1969 and devoted to whole-time practice in Gauhati High Court. He did civil, crimil, revenue and constitutiol cases. In 1978 he was appointed as the Chairman of the Assam Land Reforms Commission. He published several books on Commerce and Law. He was appointed as a permanent Judge of the Gauhati High Court on February 12, 1979. He was the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court from December 20, 1986 to March 1, 1988.

This apart, he was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India from December 14, 1988. He retired on February 28, 1991.

The State Government honoured him with the Sui-ka-phaa Award, 2014.

Meanwhile, the State Government has expressed profound grief at the demise of Justice KN Saikia. In a condolence message, the State Government prayed for eterl peace for the departed soul. The State government has decided to accord State honour to late Justice Saikia during his funeral.

Former State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the demise of Justice KN Saikia a great loss for the social life in Assam. He said the Late Justice's contribution to the judiciary and on various other front in social life can never be forgotten by the people of Assam.

APCC president Ripun Bora said that in the demise of Justice Saikia the people of Assam have lost an abled judge. He did inquire with sincerity the 'secret killings' that was entrusted to him by former State Chief Minuster Tarun Gogoi. "His inquiry report into the killings will continue to remain as an important record in the State," he said.

Meanwhile, Bar Council of India Chairman (EC) and member of Press Council of India (PCI) Apurba Kumar Sarma said that the demise of Justice Saikia is a great loss to the legal fraternity in India. Besides being a legal lumiry, he was a great scholar as well. His career as a judge has many important judgments.

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