In a landmark decision to strengthen the judicial framework, the Odisha Government has approved the establishment of 46 new Civil Judge (Junior Division) courts across 23 districts of the state. The move, finalized in consultation with the Orissa High Court, received formal approval from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
A government notification confirmed the decision, marking a significant expansion of judicial services into semi-urban and rural tehsils. This step aims to improve access to justice, speed up the resolution of civil disputes, and reduce the burden on existing courts.
The new courts will be located in the following regions:
- Balasore District: Baliapal, Simulia, Soro, Bahanaga, Jaleswar
- Sambalpur District: Rengali, Bamra, Kuchinda, Jamankira
- Rayagada District: Rayagada
- Puri District: Satyabadi
- Keonjhar District: Saharapada, Harichandanpur
- Mayurbhanj District: Bahalda, Raruan, Baisinga (Bishoi), Baripada
- Jagatsinghpur District: Balikuda, Nuagaon
- Sundargarh District: Balisankara, Lephripara, Bargaon, Kuarmunda
- Cuttack District: Barang, Kantapada
- Sonepur District: Ulunda
- Bargarh District: Bhatli
- Jharsuguda District: Kolabira
- Khordha District: Banpur
- Koraput District: Patangi
- Jajpur District: Rasulpur, Korei, Dharmasala
- Kendrapara District: Mahakalapada, Garadpur, Marshaghai
- Kandhamal District: Tikabali, K. Nuagaon, Khajuripada
- Bhadrak District: Tihidi
- Malkangiri District: Khairput
- Dhenkanal District: Dhenkanal
- Bolangir District: Patnagarh
- Ganjam District: Kukudakhandi, Dharakote, Ganjam
With this development, the jurisdictional purview of existing courts will be revised, as they will no longer serve the tehsils now under the new courts’ coverage.
Officials from the Law Department emphasized that this move will not only expedite judicial proceedings but also generate employment opportunities through the creation of new judicial and support staff positions. The government is also investing in necessary infrastructure, including court buildings, support systems, and digital tools, to ensure timely functionality.
The establishment of these courts reflects Odisha’s commitment to making its legal system more accessible, especially in underserved regions, and marks a major milestone in judicial reform and service decentralization.
