Bhubaneswar, Sep 1: Odisha is grappling with a massive backlog of over 19 lakh pending cases across various courts in the state, according to Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.
In response to a query in the Assembly, Harichandan informed that 19,22,585 cases are pending in Odisha's courts, with the number growing year after year. Of these, 15,96,754 are criminal cases, while 3,26,113 are civil cases.
The district of Khurda has the highest number of pending cases, with 2,06,397 still awaiting resolution. These include 1,52,224 criminal cases and 47,115 civil cases. Conversely, Boudh district has the lowest number of pending cases, with just 8,535 criminal cases and 475 civil cases.
Over the past five years, 3,08,232 cases have been finalized across the courts. However, Harichandan cited several factors contributing to the delays in the judicial system, including a shortage of judicial officers and support staff and inadequate infrastructure.
Currently, 195 judicial officer positions are vacant in Odisha, including 51 district judges, 21 senior civil judges, 106 junior civil judges, and 17 special magistrates. The Law Minister assured the Assembly that steps are being taken to fill these vacancies under the direction of the High Court.
Additionally, Harichandan noted that 104 out of Odisha's 314 blocks do not have a Diwani court. The government has initiated establishing Diwani courts in 31 blocks, with approval from a high-level committee.
Furthermore, 1,42,858 cases are pending in the Odisha High Court, where 55,203 cases have been resolved in the past five years, informed Law Minister Harichandan.
