Justice Kaushik Goswami was sworn in as an Additional Judge of the Gauhati High Court today. The oath-taking ceremony was held at Court No. 1 of the High Court, where Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar administered the oath of office.
The event was attended by several judges of the Gauhati High Court, President of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association Kamal Nayan Choudhury, and other senior advocates. The ceremony marked yet another significant addition to the state’s judiciary, further strengthening the legal framework of the region.
ustice Goswami’s journey to the High Court is marked by dedication and consensus. A senior advocate with over two decades of practice at the Gauhati High Court, he specialized in constitutional, civil, and criminal matters. His elevation was recommended by the Gauhati High Court Collegium in May 2023 and endorsed by the Supreme Court Collegium in October 2023, led by then-Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. 
The collegium praised his “high professional competence” and noted no adverse reports on his integrity from the Department of Justice.
The Centre notified his appointment on November 2, 2023, under Article 224 of the Constitution, for a two-year term as an Additional Judge.
This brought the Gauhati High Court’s strength to 25 judges against a sanctioned 30, underscoring the Northeast’s judicial staffing gaps. Goswami assumed charge shortly after, with his swearing-in delayed briefly due to administrative reshuffles but completed under Acting Chief Justice Lanusungkum Jamir.
Prior to elevation, Goswami’s practice included high-profile cases, earning him a reputation for meticulous advocacy. Colleagues recall his role in public interest litigations (PILs) on environmental and human rights issues, aligning with the court’s focus on regional vulnerabilities.
In a landmark September 2025 order, Goswami directed a private school to provide free education, books, and uniforms to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) students denied admission due to funding shortages.
The bench ruled: “In the interest of justice, the respondent school [must] provide free education to the petitioners including free books and uniforms.” The state was ordered to reimburse costs, reinforcing the Right to Education Act’s mandate. This came amid PILs highlighting exclusion of marginalized children in Assam’s private institutions.
Goswami has been vocal on constitutional breaches. In May 2025, granting bail to an NDPS Act accused, he lambasted police for failing to inform the arrestee of grounds under Article 22, calling it a “constitutional lapse.”
“The court is left with no option but to grant bail even in serious offenses,” he observed, directing the Chief Secretary to enforce arrest protocols and hold officers accountable.In December 2024, a division bench with Goswami quashed misuse of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 106(2)—not yet in force—ordering the DGP to prevent such registrations.
