Orissa High Court Celebrates 75th Anniversary, President Droupadi Murmu Joins As Chief Guest

A Valedictory Ceremony was held at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Cuttack yesterday where Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of India graced the occassion as the Chief Guest. Prof. Ganeshi Lal, Governor of Odisha and Mr. Jagannath Saraka, Minister of Law, ST & SC Development, Government of Odisha attended the function as the Guests of Honour.

Dr. Justice S. Muralidhar, Chief Justice of the High Court was present in the function. Among others, the sitting and former Judges of the High Court, Senior Advocates, office bearers and members of the High Court Bar Association, officers of Postal Department and the State Government also attended the function.

“A Souvenir of the High Court of Orissa containing messages of the President of India, the Prime Minister of India and various high dignitaries along with articles of legal luminaries and judicial officers on topics of law in general and the institution in particular was released in the function,” the Registry informed.

A Commemorative Postage Stamp featuring the image of the High Court was also released on the occasion, which made it only the ninth High Court in the country for which a Commemorative Postage Stamp has been released by the Postal Department.

Odisha became a separate State on April 1, 1936. However, the judiciary of the state continued to remain under the control of Patna High Court which was having its periodical circuit sittings at Cuttack since 1916. Finally, after 32 years of the first circuit sitting, the present High Court was established on July 26, 1948 with just 4 Judges and Justice Bira Kishore Ray being its first Chief Justice.

“The High Court started with less than 2,000 cases and after 75 years it has pendency of about 1,46,000 cases with sanctioned strength of 33 and working strength of 21 judges. Rapid social and economic changes have greatly contributed to this rise in pendency. This also reflects the hopes and trust of the citizens on this institution,” the statement of the Registry said.

Delivering the welcome address in the function, Chief Justice Dr. S. Muralidhar said that in the evolution and growth of the High Court many of its doyen Judges and lawyers have played a significant role. He elaborated the High Court’s History from 1916 when the Circuit Bench of the High Court of Patna began holding its sittings in Cuttack and highlighted the initiatives taken by the High Court in recent years in adaptation of technology to improve access to justice.

Speaking about modernization of offices and introduction of Odisha Judicial Workflow Automation System in the High Court, opening of Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres and virtual courts of the High Courts in districts, introduction of paperless courts, e-filing, provision of e-libraries for District Court lawyers etc, the Chief Justice said that through all these measures the judiciary in Odisha is witnessing a transformation in a positive way.

The Chief Justice expressed hope that the upcoming generation of judges and lawyers would remain committed to carrying forward the constitutional vision of delivering fair and equal justice to the people of Odisha. He assured the President of India that the High Court would make every effort to reduce the waiting time of litigants, especially the poor and the vulnerable one.

The Minister of Law, ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare, Mr. Jagannath Saraka said that the High Court has contributed immensely in delivery of justice and the people have been benefited by this institution. He said providing access to the system for the poor and marginalized people should be the prime goal for all working under the constitutional framework.

Governor of Odisha Prof. Ganeshi Lal said all the doctrines enshrined in scriptures and all the rules and regulations formulated by the civilized countries are meant to maintain balance. He said the rule of law holds a society and this rule of law becomes a teasing illusion if it is not accessible the people at large. Calling the judiciary as the conscience keeper, the Governor lauded the role of judiciary in enforcing the rule of law.

Presenting the vote of thanks Justice Subhasis Talapatra (the Chief Justice designate of the High Court) said that with the valedictory ceremony, the High Court has crossed milestone of 75 years. He informed the President of India about the legal aid works happening in the state with special mention about the jail clinics and free legal aid for prisoners.

He thanked the President of India for attending the function as the Chief Guest and said she is an inspiration for millions of underprivileged people of the remote corners of the country.

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