Judicial History and Archiving: National Conference by Orissa High Court

Cuttack, July 15: A national conference on “Judicial History and Archiving” has been organised by the High Court of Orissa at the Odisha Judicial Academy, here. Judicial History of Odisha and the importance of archiving the judicial records is the focal point of the Conference. Eminent historians and scholars from across the country and students of various educational institutions are participating.

The conference was inaugurated on July 14 by Justice Shripathi Ravindra Bhat, Judge, Supreme Court of India in the presence of Professor Partha Chatterjee, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and of Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies, Dr. Justice S. Muralidhar, Chief Justice, High Court of Orissa, the Judges of the High Court of Orissa.

A book titled “Judicial History of Odisha, Volume-I” published by the Centre for Judicial Archives of the High Court of Orissa was released on the occasion by Justice Bhat and Professor Chatterjee. The book is divided into three parts – Ancient Period, The Tribes of Odisha and Their Customary Laws and The Medieval Period.

Delivering the welcome address in the inaugural function Justice Debabrata Dash said archiving of judicial records is a historic step by the High Court of Orissa. Highlighting the need of archiving of judicial records he said spreading of knowledge through preservation of history has a significant role to play in the betterment and development of the nation and preservation of judicial history gives a sense of identity and continuity of past history and culture for future generations.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Justice S. Muralidhar said the record rooms of the High Court and the District Courts of Odisha provided the impetus to think of archiving and the judicial history project. He informed that during his visits to the record rooms across the state and more particularly the record room of Berhampur he could know about presence of judicial records of the early 19th Century which he found serendipitous.

Justice Muralidhar said that discovery of such old records led to conception of archiving, research and the Judicial History of Odisha. He appreciated the quick response and support of the State Government in establishment of the Centre for Judicial Archives.

Professor Partha Chatterjee elaborately discussed the significance of archiving the judicial records and its advantages. Expressing his disagreement with the notion that all the laws having colonial roots should be discarded, Professor Chatterjee said that a colonial law or system is retained or discarded after evaluating its effect on the political and social lives of the country. He said, judicial archives have been of great interest not only for the legal historians, but also for the social historians.

Delivering the keynote address Justice Shripathi Ravindra Bhat, Judge, Supreme Court of India congratulated Chief Justice Dr. Muralidhar for championing the herculean effort. He termed the judicial history project as a pioneering step and said that it has set high standards for others to follow. Dr. Justice Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi, Judge, High Court of Orissa extended the vote of thanks.