This is the third Annual Report published in succession. The first of it was brought out in the year 2021, in the backdrop of Covid-19 Pandemic. It was well received in several quarters as an honest yet modest attempt to highlight the attainments and shortcomings of the justice delivery system in the state. 2022 was a year of consolidation besides witnessing the commencement of the celebrations for the completion of 75 years of the establishment of the High Court. Besides witnessing greater disposal of cases the year also saw substantial enhancement of the use of technology in justice dispensation with paperless courts, e-filing, e-payment of court fees, e-LCRs, digitization of old and current records, archiving of fragile records etc being the highlights. The past year (2023) saw even more innovative concepts being introduced besides a continued thrust on development of judicial infrastructure. The case disposal was also more than satisfactory.

Needless to say, the introspective exercise has provided impetus to focus on the shortcomings and to strive harder than before to achieve newer heights.

Like the previous years, this is an attempt to highlight and showcase all that has happened in the past year. The case pendency and disposal figures, work of the different administrative committees, statistics and achievements of each district, work of the allied organs like Judicial Academy and Legal Services Authority, e-initiatives, digitization and archiving followed by a narration on the achievements, failures and future plans etc have been showcased in a manner to make the report comprehensive and holistic. Moreover, the past year saw the culmination of the year-long celebrations for the completion of 75 years of the High Court that was marked with several important events including the visit of Her Excellency the President of India to the High Court.

It gives us satisfaction to note that the previous reports have been welcomed as honest attempts by the High Court to present to the ordinary citizen the information he may desire to have about this important pillar of democracy. We lay a modest claim that the High Court stands committed to discharge its solemn Constitutional duty of dispensing justice to all citizens of this country in the most effective manner.

We wish to thank the Hon’ble Judges of the High Court for their cooperation and support and the District Judges and other officers of the district judiciary for their prompt response in submitting the necessary data, information, material etc.

The Committee wishes to place on record its appreciation for the efforts put in by the officers of the Registry associated with publication of the Annual Report as also to the designer and publisher, M/s Diganta, Bhubaneswar for the painstaking efforts.

We hope and trust, this Annual Report shall be received positively in all quarters.

Chairman and Members
Committee for Preparation of Annual Report

Nabagunjara Pattachitra displayed at Judges’ Lounge