History

Additional Sub-ordinate District Council Court.

The Addl Sub-ordinate District Council Court, Champhai was established on 7th January, 1965, inaugurated by Mr J.Malsawma. He was appointed to be the first Magistrate for this newly established Court.

An existing 3 (three) storey concrete building as well as a nearby single-storey Assam type building at Tlangrawt, Champhai Kahrawt; both of which were owned by Mr. RT Thana were purchased by the Government for the Office/Court. The top floor was used as Officers’ quarters, the middle floor was used for the Office/Court and the ground floor as well as the separate Assam type building were used for staff quarters.

Separation of Judiciary and establishment of District Court Champhai

The Court started to function seamlessly, though mostly presided over by Mizoram Civil Services in addition to their normal duties due to lack of law educated persons during that time. Then, separation of Judiciary from the executive was declared in 2005. After this separation, the Office/Courts were presided by Mizoram Judicial Services. However, only cases of civil nature were handled by the Court and criminal cases were still handled by the MCS officers from DC’s Office until 2010.

In Champhai District, separation of Judiciary came into effect in the month of July 2010. Consequently, the existing ‘Addl Sub-ordinate District Council Court’ was changed to ‘Court of Civil Judge, Champhai’. All kinds of cases were now handled at District Court Champhai and all existing criminal cases were also handed over to the Court from DC’s Office. During this transition period, there were two MJS judicial officers at District Court Champhai; namely, Mr. R. Vanlalena, Senior Civil Judge-cum-Chief Judicial Magistrate and Mr. Vincent Lalrokima, Civil Judge-cum-Judicial Magistrate First Class.

Office Building.

The Court/Office was greatly expanded following separation of judiciary, new posts were created, new staff were recruited and the building was facilitated with Computer network system under eCourts project. As a result, a space for Server room was required, room for public prosecutors, lock up for UTPs as well as a secure room for Malkhana (where seized articles were kept) were now also required as Criminal Cases had to be handled by the Court. As a result, the existing Office building and quarters can no longer accommodate the expansion.

Ultimately, the floors utilized for Officers and Staff quarters were re-appropriated for Office use. The Assam type building was dismantled and a new two storey building was being constructed. Nonetheless, with the forthcoming inauguration/establishment of Addl. District & Sessions Judge, a building/buildings with larger accommodation was direly needed. Arrangements were made by the government in such way that, a plot of land owned by the Industries Department with already constructed buildings at Champhai Zote; being used for Integrated Industrial Development Center (IIDC) was to be occupied for the Court Complex. Ownership of the land & buildings was retained by the Industries Department. Thus, after numerous modifications and resizings with the IIDC buildings, the Office/Court was relocated to the newly occupied location on April 2017, the vacated buildings at Tlangrawt Champhai Kahrawt were also re-appropriated for Judicial Quarters. This relocated Court building at Zote is approximately 11 kilometres away from the heart of Champhai Town.

Establishment of Champhai Judicial District

Following the relocation of Office building, Office/Court of the Addl. District & Sessions Judge, Champhai was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr Chief Justice Ajit Singh and Mr. Lalsawta, Hon’ble Minister i/c Law & Judicial Department, Mizoram in the presence of Hon’ble Mr Justice Michael Zothankhuma, Portfolio Judge for Mizoram on 21st April, 2017. Mr. R. Vanlalena MJS, who was the Chief Judicial Magistrate during Separation of Judiciary was attached from District Court Aizawl to be the Addl. District & Sessions Judge, Champhai. Subsequently, the post of Additional District & Sessions Judge was created on 26th June, 2018 vide Notification No. A.11013/17/2017-LJE/87. Attachment of Mr. R. Vanlalena was revoked and his posting was finalised.

District Court Champhai continued to received gradual developments, Champhai Judicial District was created on the 11th November, 2021 vide Notification No. A.12011/32/2016-LJE to be the third Judicial District within the State of Mizoram after Aizawl and Lunglei. Champhai Judicial District comprises of the administrative districts of Champhai and Khawzawl. Mr. Liansangzuala MJS was posted as the first District & Sessions Judge for Champhai Judicial District. He joined his office on 21st February, 2022.

Current state of District Court Champhai

Currently, various Courts listed below are functioning under District Court Champhai.

Court of District & Sessions Judge
Special Court, ND&PS Act
Court of Addl. District & Sessions Judge
Special Court, POCSO Act
Motor Accident Claims Tribunal
Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate
Court of Senior Civil Judge
Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class
Court of Civil Judge

These Courts are presided over by four judicial Officers; namely, Mr. Liansangzuala, District & Sessions Judge, Mrs. Sylvie Zomuanpuii Ralte, Addl. District & Sessions Judge, Mr V. Vanlalhriata, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Senior Civil Judge and Miss Jothansangi Tlau, Civil Judge-cum-Judicial Magistrate First Class.

Regular working staff comprises of 2 Bench Clerk-II, 1 Systems Assistant, 5 Bench Clerk-III and 1 Group D employees.

1 stenographer on ad-hoc basis, 1 Driver on Muster Roll basis, 1 Driver as PE (Provisional Employee), 2 Bench Clerk-III as PE and 5 Group D as PE were also posted at District Court Champhai.