The Orissa High Court has strongly criticised the state government for failing to resolve a legal dispute that has continued for almost five decades. The court said that keeping such an old matter pending shows negligence and a lack of responsibility on the part of the authorities.

During the recent hearing, the judges expressed concern that the people involved in the case have been waiting for justice for nearly half a century. They noted that many individuals connected with the dispute may not even be alive today, and yet the matter continues without closure. The bench emphasised that justice delayed for such a long period is nothing short of justice denied.

The High Court also underlined that the government had enough opportunities to resolve the issue but failed to act with seriousness. Instead of taking strong and timely steps, the authorities allowed unnecessary delays, which only prolonged the suffering of those affected. The judges warned that such inaction damages the credibility of the justice delivery system and erodes people’s trust in governance.

The court directed the state government to take immediate measures to bring the case to an end. It further reminded officials that disputes should not be allowed to remain unresolved for decades, as this denies citizens their basic right to timely justice.

This intervention from the Orissa High Court also reflects a larger concern over judicial delays in India, where millions of cases remain pending for years.