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CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Civil and Criminal Justice administration by Courts of law has assumed a significant role in modern times. Both the Civil and Criminal Courts as well as various other quasi-judicial authorities are governed by the basic principle to promote and uphold rule of law.
This concept of rule of law was not there in force in old time particularly during princely rule. In Angul Sub-division, which was under the direct control of Britishers, the people had restricted civil rights. Even there was no freedom of speech and expression and of association.
Prior to merger, the Executive and Judicial heads of ex-states were the respective ruling chiefs who were exercising the powers of the High Court until a common High Court was established in 1945 at Raigarh for all Eastern States Agency. As regards administration of Justice at the district level, there was a District Judge at Dhenkanal proper who was also the District Judge for ex-state, Hindol and Nilagiri. Angul was then under the jurisdiction of the District Judge, Cuttack-Sambalpur. After merger of the Princely States, the District Judge Court at Dhenkanal was abolished and the Judgeship of Cuttack-Dhenkanal was created with the District & Session Judge as head of the judicial administration of Angul. The District Judge of Keonjhar had jurisdiction over Pallahara. The District Judge of Boudh was the District Judge of Athmallik & the District Judge of Deogarh (in Sambalpur district, the then) was the District Judge for Talcher. The local Courts were also guided by the laws & regulation framed by those Ex-States. The Courts of Munsif-Magistrate, which were at the lowest rung of judicial administration were manned by the Dewans, Asst. Dewans and Juvrajs. Besides, there were also priestly or ecclesiastical courts to deal with socio-religious matters. This was the position prior to merger of the princely States.
After creation of a separate district in 1993, there was some change in the sphere of judicial administration with the establishment of the Courts of Chief judicial Magistrate and Additional District Judge at Angul. These two superior Courts were established on l3.05.94 and 17.12.97 respectively. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Angul in addition to his own duty, is also functioning as the Assistant Sessions Judge. He is the Presiding Officer of the Juvenile Court who tries cases of Juvenile delinquents as per the procedure under Juvenile Justice Act, 1986. He is also the Inspecting Authority of the subordinate criminal Courts in the district of Angul. The Additional District Judge, Angul is vested with the power of the Session Judge. He tries all offences, which are exclusively trialed by Court of Sessions. Besides, he is the Appellate Authority of the Courts of the Magistrates, Civil Judges (Junior Division) and Civil Judge (Senior Division) of Angul and Athamallik Sub-divisions and also of the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Angul. He also tries Motor Accident Claim cases and cases under the special Acts such as Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. His power is co-extensive with that of the District & Sessions Judge, Dhenkanal in judicial line. But the District Judge, Dhenkanal continues to be the head of the Judicial Administration for the composite Judgeship of Dhenkanal-Angul. In order to reduce heavy pendency of cases and to expedite dispensation of justice to the public litigant, there is also a proposal for establishment of two First Track Courts at Angul. The Court of the Additional District & Session Judge, Talcher has been established recently at Talcher keeping in view the pendency position of both civil and criminal cases of Talcher and Pallahara subdivisions. He is the Appellate Authority of all Magistrates & civil courts of Talcher & Pallahara sub-divisions.
Similarly there were Courts of the Criminal Magistrate who used to deal with criminal cases along with revenue cases prior to separation of judiciary from Executive. The criminal Magistrates were then placed directly under the District Magistrates. The offences dealt with by the Criminal Courts were the offences under Indian penal code, Motor Vehicle Act, Excise ‘Act, Indian Forest Act. Municipal Act, Indian Railways Act, Mines Act etc. The nature of offences under Indian penal code mostly relate to offences against property such as theft, extortion, burglary, robbery etc., against human body such hurts, grievous hurt etc. offences affecting public health, safety decency and morals, offences against the public tranquility and public justice etc. After separation of judiciary from Executive since 1st May 1962, the revenue cases are tried by the Revenue Officers. The Executive Magistrates exercise their powers in respect of cases under preventive sections of Cr.P.C.
The Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrates of Angul , Athamallik, Talcher and Pallahara are also vested with the powers Civil Judge (Junior Division) and have been working as such in their respective subdivisions. There is a Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class cum-Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division) at Angul. There are Courts of Civil Judges (Senior Division) at Angul, Athamallik and Talcher who have unlimited jurisdiction in civil matters. They try declaratory suits, money suits, partition suits etc. and also deal with matrimonial, succession and execution matters.
LEGAL PROFESSION & BAR ASSOCIATION
Of late legal profession in Angul district has assumed a much wider dimension with increasing number of members joining the Bar Association every year.
The Bar Association of Angul was formed in 1946 with three members. It was registered in 1988 vide Registration number- Dhenknal-168-31/88-89. It has it’s permanent building inside Civil Court premises, Angul. There is also a library of the Bar.
The Bar Association at Talcher was established in 1952 with 8 members. The bar has its permanent building inside court premises. The Bar Association at Athamallik had only seven founder members. Besides, there is also a Bar Association at Pallahara. The strength of each Bar has registered a sharp increase now a days with the joining of new hands each year.
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