Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh — A one-day Divisional Judicial Seminar for Judicial Officers of the Surguja Division was held today at the Conference Hall, Circuit House (New Building), Ambikapur, organised by the Chhattisgarh State Judicial Academy.
A total of 69 Judicial Officers from five civil districts — Ambikapur, Baikunthpur, Jashpur, Balrampur-Ramanujganj, and Surajpur — participated in the programme.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice of the High Court of Chhattisgarh and Patron-in-Chief of the Chhattisgarh State Judicial Academy, virtually inaugurated the seminar and delivered the keynote address.
The event was also virtually attended by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Radhakishan Agrawal (Portfolio Judge, District Surajpur), Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal (Portfolio Judge, District Jashpur), and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arvind Kumar Verma (Portfolio Judge, District Balrampur-Ramanujganj).
Key Highlights of the Address
Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha underscored the role of the judiciary as “the bedrock of our constitutional democracy” and reminded officers that citizens encounter the justice system most directly in District and Taluka Courts. Judges’ conduct, approach, and judgments, he said, shape public confidence in the institution.
He cautioned that the District Judiciary today faces rising challenges, including the surge in case filings, technological change, and increasingly complex disputes, and said that the judiciary must be knowledge-driven, ethically grounded, and sensitive to societal needs.
Quoting his central message, he observed:
“Justice is not done merely by systems and procedures; it flows from the conscience of the Judge.”
He added that every litigant must leave the courtroom feeling heard and treated with fairness, and called upon judicial officers to preserve public trust through integrity, discipline, and judicial ethics.
“When judges remain committed to the rule of law and guided by constitutional values, the judiciary stands unshakable,” the Chief Justice said.
Seminar Outcomes
Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha noted that judicial seminars provide valuable opportunities for reflection on contemporary legal issues, exchange of experience, and adoption of best practices, enhancing professional capability and strengthening the justice delivery system.
The programme was attended by the Registrar General and senior Registry Officers of the High Court of Chhattisgarh.
The welcome address was delivered by the Principal District & Sessions Judge, Ambikapur, followed by an introductory address by the Director of the Chhattisgarh State Judicial Academy.
The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by the 1st District & Additional Sessions Judge, Ambikapur.
Topics Presented by Judicial Officers
Participants made presentations on five areas:
- Absent accused and added accused — procedural overlap between Sec. 356 BNSS and Sec. 358 BNSS
- Doctrine of Specific Performance — law and procedure with reference to recent Supreme Court pronouncements; limitations on its availability
- Competency of court under Order 7 Rule 10 CPC; power to reject plaint at the threshold under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC
- Arrest, remand and bail — guidelines from Satender Kumar Antil v. CBI and Siddharth v. State of U.P.; disposal of property in criminal cases
- Execution of decree — arrest/detention in civil prison and attachment of property; strategies for timely and efficient enforcement
