Sambalpur: Sambalpur’s Justice System; Over 35,000 Cases Pending for More Than 5 Years; Justice Delayed

Sambalpur: The justice system in Sambalpur is currently experiencing significant delays, with over 35,000 cases unresolved for more than five years. The backlog is primarily due to delays in police charge sheets and procedural inefficiencies, which raises concerns about the right to timely justice.

Over 34,904 Cases Pending for Over 5 Years

According to recent reports, 34,904 cases have been pending in the Sambalpur courts for more than five years. Of these, 32,268 are criminal cases and 2,636 are civil. Senior legal professionals have noted that some of these cases have been pending for more than 50 years, adding to the concerns about justice being delayed. Lawyers have also emphasized the inefficiency of the local police in filing timely charge sheets, which frequently leads to significant delays in court proceedings.

Police Delays in Filing Charge Sheets

One of the main causes of the backlog is the police’s consistent failure to file charge sheets on time. According to legal requirements, police must submit charge sheets within 60 to 120 days, depending on the nature of the case. However, it has been observed that charge sheets are frequently submitted a year or two later, contributing to extended delays. Even after submission, cases frequently become stuck due to incomplete or partial charge sheets, exacerbating the wait for justice.

Recent Court Data Highlights the Issue

In July alone, the Sambalpur courts began operations with 83,840 pending cases, including 6,125 civil and 77,715 criminal. During that month, 1,400 cases were resolved, with 163 civil and 1,237 criminal cases. Despite this progress, the backlog remains a major concern. By the end of July, the pending case count had increased to 84,172, indicating a growing problem.

Investigative Officer Transfers and Witness Absence

Another significant factor contributing to delays is the frequent movement of investigating officers. When officers are transferred in the middle of a case, it causes lapses in investigation, leading to further postponement of proceedings. Witnesses frequently fail to appear in court, even after receiving summons, further delaying trials. Cases are frequently delayed due to the absence of key witnesses, which adds to the inefficiency of the justice system.

Senior Lawyers Speak Out

Senior lawyer Sureshwar Mishra expressed concern about the delayed submission of charge sheets and its impact on justice delivery. To avoid such delays, he emphasized the importance of separating the law enforcement and investigative wings. He believes that the investigation process should be expedited in order to ensure that cases are resolved on time. Satyaranjan Panda, another senior lawyer and president of the Bar Association, discussed how investigative officers, medical officers, and witnesses contribute to trial delays due to their absence.

The Call for Reform

With the situation deteriorating, many are calling for immediate judicial and investigative reforms in Sambalpur. Legal experts argue that separating investigative duties from regular policing could result in faster investigations and court proceedings. In the meantime, thousands of cases remain unresolved, with many people waiting years for their day in court.