‘Don’t undermine Gauhati High Court’s authority’: Supreme Court refuses to entertain pleas against Assam CM

SC calls direct approach to top court a “disturbing trend” while declining to hear case against Assam CM

February 16, 2026

SC says trend of directly approaching top court is disturbing

Top court asks petitioners to approach Gauhati High Court over viral video case; calls trend of directly moving Supreme Court “disturbing”

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain pleas filed against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and asked the petitioners to approach the Gauhati High Court instead, saying its authority should not be undermined.

The pleas were filed over a viral video in which Sarma was allegedly seen firing a rifle at members of a particular community.

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi made the observations while hearing the matter.

Questioning why the petitioners had not moved the Gauhati High Court, the bench said it has become a “disturbing trend” that every issue ends up before the Supreme Court.

“Why haven’t you gone to the Gauhati High Court? Don’t undermine its authority,” the bench remarked.

The court observed that high courts are increasingly being bypassed, leading to their deprivation of important matters, including environmental and commercial litigations.

While declining to entertain the pleas, the Supreme Court directed that the matter be taken up before the Gauhati High Court and asked its Chief Justice to expedite the hearing.

The bench also said it would expect all parties to exercise restraint and remain within the boundaries of constitutional morality, particularly in sensitive matters.

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