Introduction

Presenting the Annual Report of the High Court to all concerned has become a regular feature. Like the previous years this year also we have prepared the report of all our activities of the past year with the object of ushering in more transparency in the working of the judiciary of the state. Apart from furnishing the usual information regarding statistics of cases disposed of by the High Court and the District Courts, the report also showcases all important events and activities held in the past year.
The past year was a year of numerous activities held at different levels, be it inauguration of several new courts, paperless courts, new court buildings or celebration of important days like the Republic Day, High Court Foundation Day, Independence Day, Lawyers’ Day and Constitution Day etc. Among the major highlights was inauguration of the new Judicial Court Complex at Bhubaneswar by Her Excellency, the President of India.

The segregation of the Annual Report into different sections such as, Judges, Registry, Administrative Committees, District Courts, Allied Organs, Case Statistics, Accounts etc. has been maintained and so also specific sections highlighting the other activities and infrastructure developments and e-initiatives have been given special emphasis.

As in the previous years, an honest attempt has been made to introspect on the performance of judiciary in the past year-to highlight how the challenges facing the system were addressed, the successes and shortcomings faced, along with the plan for future. The idea is to convey to the reader that the institution remains committed to fulfil its Constitutional obligation to dispense justice to the citizens more effectively.

The report contains photographs of the judges, registry officers, all important events, and buildings etc. It has been designed aesthetically with the object of making it appealing to the reader. The web version of the Annual Report has also been prepared to be uploaded in the website of the High Court for wider accessibility. We wish to thank Hon’ble the Chief Justice for his guidance and encouragement and the Hon’ble Judges of the High Court for their unstinted cooperation and support as well as the District Judges and other officers of the district judiciary for promptly submitting the necessary data, information, materials 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 painstaking efforts.

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