Guwahati, Aug 30: In a historic event, one of the largest gavels in India has been unveiled today at the Assam Royal Global University (RGU) by Justice Sandeep Mehta, Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, conveyed his congratulatory message and words of appreciation through a voice note on the unveiling of the gavel at RGU, as he could not attend the occasion in person.
The monumental gavel, crafted with remarkable precision by the students of the Department of Fine Arts at RGU, measures 22 feet in length, with an 8-foot hammer and a base circumference of 11 feet 7 inches. Beyond its record-setting scale, the gavel stands as a powerful symbol of law, fairness, and equity—the principles that uphold the foundation of the nation’s legal system.
Justice Mehta unveiled this masterpiece in the presence of Dr. A. K. Pansari, Chancellor; A. K. Modi, Pro-Chancellor; and Prof. A. K. Buragohain, Vice Chancellor of RGU, and other distinguished delegates, faculty members and thousands of students.
Chief Guest Justice Sandeep Mehta delivered an insightful address on “Digital Arrest and Privacy Rights: Navigating Law Enforcement in the Era of Surveillance”, followed by an interactive session with the law students of RGU.
Speaking before an audience of distinguished guests and students, Justice Mehta highlighted that fraudsters are increasingly resorting to digital arrests, cybercrime, and scams fuelled by artificial intelligence, making digital scams one of the most insidious crimes of the present era. Stressing the urgency of the situation, he emphasized that it is high time for the media and all stakeholders to actively create awareness.
Justice Mehta underlined that cybercrime transcends borders and cannot be countered by legislation alone; public awareness and outreach on how to prevent digital arrests are equally crucial. He further stated that the judiciary’s paramount responsibility is to protect citizens, and international cooperation is vital to combat cross-border cybercrime.
“We need a comprehensive cybercrime law. The largest gavel at RGU stands as an epitome of justice,” he remarked. To commemorate his visit, Justice Mehta also took part in a plantation drive on the university campus.
In his voice message on this historic occasion of the inauguration of the gavel, Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court said, “Every student who sees this gavel on campus will be inspired to think of law not just as a career, but as a commitment. Whether you choose the courtroom or classroom or public service, let this gavel remind you that fairness, integrity and courage must guide your path. I congratulate Royal Global University on this unique initiative, let the gavel stand as a symbol of the university’s vision to create global excellence rooted in the values of justice”.
The ceremony was graced by eminent dignitaries, including Debojit Saikia, Advocate General of Assam and Secretary of BCCI; Raktim Duarah, Registrar General of Gauhati High Court; Nayan Shankar Baruah, Registrar (Admin) Gauhati High Court; Nirod Sarma, Joint Registrar, Gauhati High Court; Angshuman Bora, Senior Advocate, Gauhati High Court, among others.