History

According to the administrative reports information collected, all the central Acts of British India were applicable in the earst while Kawardha State except revenue law. Darbar Court presided by the ruling Chief was the High Court of the State. Diwan was allotted function of District judge and sessions judge apart from administrative works. Assistant Diwan was empowered as Magistrate First Class and the Tehsildars were empowered as Magistrate II class and III class. Total 5 criminal courts were in function. Appellate and final court was Darbar court. For civil matter Darbar court was last appellate court means Supreme court of the State. Diwan was empowered with the power of District Judge, Assistant Diwan was empowered as Civil Judge class I and Tehsildars as Civil Judge class II. In all 4 Civil Courts were in function. In the year 1945 Sheonath group comprised of Rajnandgaon, Kawardha, Khairagarh and Chhuikhadan states was formed with head quarter at Rajnandgaon and power of District Judge were exercised by presiding officer appointed by this group. But the rulers were still Supreme Court of their States. In the same year Eastern State Agency comprising of the earst while States of Orissa and Chhattisgarh was formed and the rulers of all the States delegated their appellate powers to this E.S.A. and hon’ble Justice Shri Ismail was posted as Chief Justice. ..