Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has officially notified the establishment of six new Exclusive Special Courts across key districts to strengthen legal protections for marginalized communities. This measure aims to guarantee speedy trials and effective prosecution of cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Shri Hemant Sharma said that the decision was finalized following statutory consultations and formal recommendations from the High Court of Orissa. Operating under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, the state government intends to reaffirm its focus on victim-centric justice, social equity, and safeguarding vulnerable populations.
Designated as Courts of Additional District and Sessions Judges-cum-Special Courts, these forums will hold exclusive jurisdiction over the revenue districts of Bhadrak, Ganjam (Berhampur), Jajpur, Kendrapara, and Puri, alongside the Khurda revenue sub-division. The primary goal is to address existing backlogs and lower case pendency in regions experiencing higher caseloads.
The establishment of these courts follows data driven assessments led by the State Human Rights Protection Cell at Police Headquarters. Under the direction of Additional Director General of Police Yatindra Koyal, the cell conducted pendency audits and coordinated with relevant authorities to identify critical regions and formulate the proposal that received judicial concurrence.
With the notification issued, the Home Department has formally requested the High Court of Orissa to appoint Additional District and Sessions Judges as Presiding Officers. Meanwhile, the state government is reviewing further proposals to establish additional Exclusive Special Courts and assign Special Public Prosecutors in other districts facing notable case backlogs.