Cuttack, Feb 26: With decades-old cases continuing to clog the judicial system, the High Court is considering holding special Saturday sittings to expedite the disposal of long-pending criminal matters.

Several cases dating back 20 to 30 years remain unresolved, contributing to delays in the justice delivery process. In some instances, prolonged trials have resulted in undertrial prisoners spending years behind bars. Addressing this growing concern, the Supreme Court of India has advised High Courts to explore the option of conducting court proceedings on Saturdays to reduce the backlog.

Acting on the suggestion, a meeting was held on Wednesday in the High Court conference hall. The meeting was attended by Justice K.S. Dixit, Justice Aditya Kumar Mohapatra, and Justice V. Narasingh, along with High Court Bar Association President and senior advocate Manoj Kumar Mishra, Secretary Abhijit Pattnaik, other office-bearers, and several senior advocates.

During the discussions, the judges proposed that the High Court sit on one Saturday each month exclusively to hear old criminal cases, particularly those pending for over 20 years. The proposal also allows for cases to be listed on Saturdays based on the willingness and readiness of concerned lawyers.

While the Supreme Court has suggested holding court every Saturday, practical constraints—such as two Saturdays being official holidays—were taken into account. The proposal under consideration involves utilizing one of the remaining Saturdays for special hearings.

The judges urged the Bar Association to deliberate on the proposal with other members and communicate its views. A final decision is expected after further consultations.