Bhubaneswar: In a major push toward strengthening legal protections for marginalized communities, the Odisha government has officially notified the establishment of six new exclusive special courts to ensure speedy trial and effective prosecution of offenses under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The notification has been issued by the Home Department following statutory consultations and formal recommendations from the Orissa High Court. Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the state government has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to victim-centric justice, social equity, and protecting the rights of vulnerable populations, said the department.

The newly-established courts will function as Courts of Additional District and Sessions Judges-cum-Special Courts. They will hold exclusive jurisdiction over the revenue districts of Bhadrak, Ganjam (Berhampur), Jajpur, Kendrapara, and Puri, as well as the Khurda revenue sub-division. The initiative aims to clear backlogs and significantly reduce pendency in high-caseload areas. 

This institutional milestone is the direct result of continuous assessment and sustained administrative driving force from the State Human Rights Protection Cell (SHRPC) at Police Headquarters. Following rigorous pendency audits and persistent coordination spearheaded by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Yatindra Koyal, the SHRPC successfully identified high-case load regions and crafted the comprehensive proposal that ultimately secured judicial concurrence.

Following the statutory notification, the Home Department has requested the High Court of Orissa to formally appoint Additional District and Sessions Judges as Presiding Officers for these courts. Meanwhile, the government is also actively evaluating proposals for additional Exclusive Special Courts and Special Public Prosecutors in other high-pendency districts.