Centre For Judicial Archives At High Court Of Orissa Inaugurated

On 11^th January, 2025 inauguration of the Centre for Judicial Archives was held under the aegis of the High Court of Orissa.

The Centre was inaugurated by Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha in presence of Shri Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of Orissa, Shri Prithiviraj Harichandan, Minister, Law, Government of Odisha, the Companion Judges of the High Court of Orissa.

Among others, the Advocate General, Shri Pitambar Acharya, the Deputy Solicitor General of India for the High Court of Orissa, Shri Prasanna Kumar Parhi, President, Secretary and the office bearers of High Court Bar Association, Senior Advocates and Government officials attended the function.

Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Justice Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi, Judge, High Court of Orissa and Chairman, RRDC Committee quoted the adage of great thinkers on the importance of history with specific reference to historical documents, its preservation and guiding impact upon the present as well as the future of human civilization.

Dr. Justice Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi enlightened the audience by quoting Thomas Jefferson and Lord Acton, 'Information is the currency of democracy' and 'History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul'. In his introductory speech His Lordship has thrown light on the strength of democracy which lies in the free and transparent flow of knowledge, preservation of information that holds institutions accountable and illuminates the path toward justice and equality. Historical records serve as a bridge between eras, safeguarding cultural heritage, protecting identities, and ensuring accountability. They remind us of humanity's resilience and capacity for growth. By valuing and preserving our past, we not only honor our origins but also equip ourselves to envision and create a brighter and a more informed future. These records not only document events but also provide the context and lessons needed to avoid repeating mistakes. Keeping records of the past allows societies to learn from their successes and failures and fostering wisdom for future generations. Without records, democracy falters, leaving the governed in the dark and the powerful unaccountable. The absence of documented history erodes transparency, undermines justice, and weakens the foundation of equitable governance.

While highlighting the construction of the Centre for Judicial Archives as a state-of-the-art facility, His Lordship has stated that the High Court of Orissa has taken the step that is both historic and visionary.

Established on the 10^th of May, 2022, the Centre for Judicial Archives was conceived with a profound purpose:

• • To safeguard and conserve the fragile judicial records of the High Court and district courts across Odisha.
  • Till date, the Centre has preserved approximately 75,000 judicial records predating 1950.
  • Out of these, over 4,132 files - comprising nearly 84,888 sheets - have undergone scientific conservation, and 1,151 files have been digitized.

This achievement is monumental, not just for its scale but for its significance. Modern record-keeping in India began during the administration of the English East India Company, but the archives of that era lacked accessibility and systematic preservation. It is only in the post-independence period that the value of archives as repositories of authentic history gained recognition.

Judicial records in India remained an untouched realm until May 2022, when the High Court of Orissa took the unprecedented step of establishing a judicial archives center. This initiative emerged from the discovery of invaluable 19th and early 20th-century records in the courts of Odisha—records written in English, Odia, Persian, Telugu, Hindi, and Bengali. These documents are not just artifacts; they are treasures that hold the power to reconstruct the judicial and legal history of our state.

By compiling the judicial history of Odisha into four volumes, it has created a legacy that will benefit legal professionals, historians, and students for generations to come. Volume I, released in 2023, has already unveiled untold stories of Odisha's legal past, and Volume II is set for release, marking yet another milestone in this remarkable journey.

The Centre for Judicial Archives has already begun this transformative work, and its commitment to adopting cutting-edge archival practices will ensure that our history is preserved in all formats for generations to come.

Preserving history allows us to uncover the richness of human experiences, learn from triumphs and failures, and deepen our understanding of the present. It connects us to the roots of our identity, offering wisdom and perspective to navigate the challenges of today. More importantly, history inspires future generations, serving as a wellspring of ideas, innovation, and hope. By cherishing and protecting our shared past, we transform it into a source of strength and guidance, illuminating the path toward a brighter tomorrow.

Shri Prithiviraj Harichandan, Minister, Law, Government of Odisha in his pedantic address has uttered the relevance of the Centre for Judicial Archives which shall be a touch bearer not for the State but for the Nation as a whole.

ustice Chakradhari Sharan Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of Orissa in his keynote address by his erudite eloquence has epigrammatically expressed the significance of setting up the Centre for Judicial Archives, as many endangered important historic records of the Court failed to attract the attention of State Archives for their preservation. The Archive is meant for care, conservation and consultation of the oldest records. The Archive is not a destination for the elite rather it will be a place for the marginalized to know that facts of their importance have been preserved in this Centre. His Lordship thanked the State for not only providing Rs.38 Crores for construction of the Centre but also for providing all kind of assistance as and when sought for by the Court.

Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha while giving his keynote address has told that Indian Judiciary has brought laurels in international sphere. The Chief Minister has also expressed that the Centre will be a preserver of not only judicial records but also of culture. He has also expressed that the State Government is committed to providing all assistance including financial, administrative and technological.

Proposing the vote of thanks Justice Sashikanta Mishra, Judge, High Court of Orissa and Member, RRDC Committee thanked the Dignitaries present on and off the dais, recollected the vision of Dr. Justice S. Muralidhar, former Chief Justice of High Court of Orissa and the INTACH who had been entrusted with the preservation work.