The Museum of Justice, showcasing the evolution of the justice system in Odisha from ancient to modern with notes, excerpts from old texts, photos, inscriptions and archival records, was thrown open to the public at the Barabati fort in Cuttack city.

The refurbished Museum of Justice set up by the Orissa High Court of Orissa inside the medieval fort was opened to the public in the presence of Chief Justice Dr S Muralidhar and the Judges of the High Court on Saturday.

Among other things, the museum depicts the freedom movement from 1804 to 1947 with references of trials and conviction of various freedom fighters from Odisha. Besides, it portrays the mode of dispensation of justice among the tribes as well as the importance of tribal customary laws.

The visitors will catch glimpses of important judgement and news of the period from 1808 to 2013, the old court apparels and accessories.

It traces back to the historical timeline of development of legal education in Odisha and information on prominent lawyers of Odisha along with classification of legal practitioners. One the gallery in the museum has a mock court room modeled on the heritage court rooms of Baripada and Aska. Besides, the Museum will also have an audio visual room, a library and a souvenir shop.

Odisha will find their roots and their connection to history in the Museum of Justice as this is a place of reflection and introspection where one can connect to the larger past, Chief Justice Dr S Muralidhar said while speaking on the occasion.

The State is rich in offering of its culture, tradition and art and its people have a deep sense of history and culture imbibed in them which makes Odisha a lovable place for all. A glimpse of the richness of Odisha is showcased in the Museum of Justice, he added.

The ‘Orissa High Court Museum’ was established in the heritage residential building of the Chief Justice in Barabati Quila, Cuttack on 12 October, 2017. Prior to the establishment of the Orissa High Court in 1948, the Odisha province was within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Calcutta from 1862 to 1912 and the High Court of Patna from 1912 to 1948.

The southern part of the province was within the jurisdiction of the Madras High Court. Therefore, the repository of case records of the High Court of Orissa includes the old judicial records of the three High Courts: at Calcutta, Patna and Madras. They also include records belonging to erstwhile High Courts of the princely states of Odisha.