CM Mohan Majhi inaugurates Centre for Judicial Archives in Cuttack, the Judicial capital of Odisha

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Saturday inaugurated the Centre for Judicial Archives, High Court of Orissa in Cuttack.  Chakradhari Sharan Singh, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Orissa, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and other dignitaries were also present during the occasion.

“The Centre is a commitment to preserve rich history for the future generations,” said Odisha CM Mohan Majhi.

Delivering the inaugural address, Chakradhari Sharan Singh, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Orissa, said, “The Centre for Judicial Archives is first of its kind in the country. It is indeed a befitting tribute to the city of Cuttack, the judicial capital of Odisha. It is a milestone in the journey to protect and preserve the history of legal proceedings which is essential for understanding the evolution the of legal system and development. The Centre has been established to safeguard documents, records and materials that hold historical significance.”

The dedicated building has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 38 crore sanctioned by the Odisha government. The majestic building not only intends to house all the fragile documents of the Orissa High Court but also set to provide space, infrastructure and facilities for performing all functions which the modern archives perform.

Speaking on the occasion, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said, “It is a matter of pride for all of us today for the inauguration of the Centre of Judicial Archives as it is a history day for the judiciary of Odisha but for the entire legal and academic community of our state and nation. The judiciary is one of the founding pillars of democracy and its legacy is a testament to its unwavering commitment to justice, equity and fairness.”

The Law Minister further stated that the Orissa High Court has played a pivotal role in upholding the Constitutional values of our nation and its contribution to the development of law and justice is both profound and inspiring. 

“The Centre for Judicial Archives is a visionary initiative and being a monument to the history and heritage of the judiciary, it will house and preserve many priceless documents, records, landmark judgements and invaluable legal documents that capture the evolution of law and justice in the state,” the Law minister added. 

Likewise, Sanjiv Panigrahi, Judge and Chairman of the Record Room Digitisation Centre Committee said, "The true strength of democracy lies in the free and transparent flow of knowledge. It is through information that is meticulously preserved and diligently shared that empowers citizens, holds institutions accountable and illuminates the path towards justice and equality. In India, the Vedas, Upanishads and epics serve as timeless records not just for history but of the virtues, struggles and aspirations of our ancestors. Record keeping is one of the important exercise so that the future generations are not lost in shadows of time.”

Historical records serve as a bridge between eras, safeguarding cultural heritage, protecting identities and ensuring accountability. By preserving our past, we not only honour our origin but also equip ourselves to envision and create a brighter and more informed future, said Justice Panigrahi.

“Established in 2022, the Centre for Judicial Achieves was conceived with the profound purpose of safeguarding and conserving the fragile judicial records of High Court and district courts across the state. So far the centre has preserved 75,000 judicial records, pre-dating 1950. Out of these, 4132 files comprising 84,888 sheets have undergone scientific conservation and 1151 files have been digitised,” Panigrahi added.

It is pertinent to mention here that Judicial records in India remained an untouched realm until May 2022 when the High Court of Orissa took an unprecedented step of establishing a judicial archive centre. This initiative emerged from the discovery of invaluable 19th and early 20th-century records in the court of Orissa written in Hindi, English, Odia, Persian, Telegu and Bengali. These documents are not just artefacts, but they are treasures that hold the power to reconstruct the judicial and legal history of Odisha.