Guwahati, Aug. 19 -- A private meeting in New Delhi between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar has raised significant ethical questions, particularly given its timing and lack of transparency.

According to reports, CM Sarma flew to New Delhi on a chartered flight on Sunday solely to meet with Chief Justice Kumar at Assam House, with no other official engagements scheduled. The meeting's private nature, with no public disclosure of its agenda, has drawn sharp criticism.

This meeting occurred while the Gauhati High Court was voicing concerns over the state government's decision to hand over 3,000 bighas of land in the Dima Hasao district to a private company, Mahabal Cement Private...