History

Balaghat District is located in the southern part of Jabalpur Division. It occupies the south eastern portion of the Satpura Range and the upper valley of the Wainganga River. The total area of the district is 9,245 km. Balaghat District is bounded by Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh to the north, Dindori District to the northwest, Rajnandgaon District of Chhatisgarh state to the east, Gondia and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra state to the south, and Seoni District of Madhya Pradesh to the west. The Wainganga and its tributaries are the most important rivers in the district.

Balaghat District was constituted during the year 1867 by amalgamation of parts of the Bhandara, Mandla and Seoni districts. In 1956 it is declared as Independent district. The headquarters of the district was originally called “Burha” or “Boora”. Later, however, this name fell into disuse and was replaced by “Balaghat”, which was originally the name of the district only. Balaghat means “above the ghats or passes”. Administratively the district is divided into 6 tehsils viz. Balaghat, Waraseoni, Baihar, Lanji, Katangi & Kirnapur.

Balaghat as a Judicial district came into existence on 14th November 1969 by the separation of Seoni Judicial District. Earlier the district was governed from Chhindwara alongwith Seoni and a link Court was being conducted from Seoni.

The main building of the District Court is situated in mid of the city and was built in British time in 1874, which is also declared as Heritage Building, which was renovated in the year 2016 as per the directions of Hon’ble High court of MP. To the North of this building there is Old Collectorate, to the South Sub Jail is located while Bus Stand is at the West and Jilha Panchayat & Civil Line Area are at the Eastern side.

In view of the increased litigations the lack of space was felt, which resulting expansion inside the District Court premises and a new building was constructed at the North side of the old/heritage building. The foundation stone was laid down on 22nd July 1989 (Saturday, Ashad 31, Shak Samvat 1911) in the auspicious presence of Honourable the Justice Shri Vipin Chandra Verma, High Court of M.P., Jabalpur in the presence of Shri Kaushal Kishor Verma, the then District & Sessions Judge. In 1992 the building was completed. The inauguration ceremony was held on 18th November 1992 in the eminence presence of Honourable Justice Shri M.V. Tamaskar, High Court of M.P., Jabalpur in the presence of Shri Vimal Kumar Choudhary the then District & Sessions Judge, Balaghat.

In Balaghat District there are 6 revenue tehsils, out of which Civil Courts have been functioning in 4 tehsils excluding Balaghat these tehsils are Waraseoni (started in 1971), Baihar (started in 1971), & Katangi (Inaugurated on 23rd February 2008). Before 1996 a Link court of Addl. Distt. & Sessions Judge for Waraseoni was in function but on 6th January 1996 the Court of I Addl. Distt. & Sessions Judge and on 16th December 1997 the Court of II Addl. Distt. & Sessions Judge were established. Recently by the notification of the M.P. Government dated 18th November 2016 Tehsil Lanji is also established as Tehsil Civil Court.

The cases disposed off between the years 1935 to 1940 and received from Chhindwara as well as cases disposed off between the years 1940 to 1969 and received from Seoni are preserved in the Record Room of Balaghat District.

In 1969 when Balaghat District came into existence as Separate Judicial District, the first District & Sessions Judge was Shri S.N. Johri and therafter 31 officers were posted on this post.