The present territory of Tripura with certain other areas now in Bangladesh formed the territory of ‘HILL TIPPERAH’, an independent state of the MAHARAJA or the KING who was at the top of all administration including the Judiciary.

            Predominantly inhabited by Hill Tribes, Tripura had no organized judicial system or any written Code for two definite reasons. The inhabiting tribes advised to litigation settled their disputes amicably and such disputes were few and far between.

            The King was the fountain of all Justice whereever necessary. No Code or Code of conduct was prescribed. It was during the tenure of A.W.B. power (1871-74) a British Officer appointed in Tripura as the first political agent appears to be the key person who usher the tradition of judicial system in Tripura In 1873-74 ‘KHAS APPEAL ADALAT’ ( Royal Court of appeal) was set up for the administration of both civil & Criminal justice. The Judges in such Court were necessarily members of the Royal family who were known as ‘THAKURS’ ‘PAHARI ADALAT’ (Hill Court of Appeal) established in Agartala heard appeals from the councils of the Tribes headed by the Chief of its Tribe. This ‘PAHARI ADALAT’ system was abolished by MAHARAJA BIR CHANDRA MANIKYA in 1879 evidently to set up a unified and common judicial system in the state.

            During 1873-74 with the introduction of traditional Judicial system series of reform took place. Nine(9) enactment were passed after the shape and fashion of judicial system in British India. During these years written laws were first introduced in the kingly state of Tripura.

            History of this tiny independent state records that Thakurs were the Judges in all Courts who were appointed by the king without any salary but they were granted ‘TALUKS’ and ‘FARMS’ from which they earned their income. The KHAS APPEAL ADALAT which was the Chief Court of justice was presided over by the JUBARAJ and was assisted by the THAKURS. This system went smoothly though procedures were not perfect. There were seventeen (17) Courts of Justice in the State exercising both Civil & Criminal jurisdiction only since 1943 with the High Court of judicature of Tripura at the head of judiciary. This system continued even after independence of India in 1947 and continued up to 15th October 1949 when MAHARANI KANCHAN PRABHA DEVI as the Regent of the minor king, KIRIT BIKRAM MANIKYA KISHORE BAHADUR signed the merger Agreement with the Union of India.

            After the merger the constitutional provisions were enforced and instead of the High Court of Judicature of Tripura the Court of Judicial commissioners was set up on the basis of Tripura Courts Order 1950.

            Tripura was initially a Union Territory and it was declared a full fledged State w.e.f. 21- 01-1972 where after the Judicial Commissioners Court was abolished and the Authority was entrusted to the Assam & Nagaland High Court which was the common High Court of North East States and accordingly the nomenclature of the High Court was changed as ‘THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (THE HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MEGHALAYA, MANIPUR, TRIPURA, MIZORAM & ARUNCHAL PRADESH).

            Since having a common High Court “AGARTALA” had a Bench of the said High Court wherein Circuit Benches were held periodically. It was declared as the permanent Bench by presidential declaration made on 14th May 1992 with approved strength of three(3) permanent Judges.