Sambalpur: A high-level BJP delegation urged the Odisha government to initiate steps to restore normalcy in the Sambalpur district court on Wednesday.
The BJP team comprising Bargarh MP Suresh Pujari, Kalahandi MP Basanta Panda, Sambalpur MP Nitesh Ganga Deb, and party MLAs Subash Panigrahi, Nauri Naik, Bhawani Bhoi, Kusum Tete and Mukesh Mahaling, visited Sambalpur on Tuesday to take stock of the situation at the Sambalpur district court following the December 12 violence in the court complex.
According to Pujari, they met the leaders of the Sambalpur District Bar Association (SDBA) in jail, the judges of the Sambalpur district court, lawyers of different bar associations, the citizens of Sambalpur, Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Northern Division, IGP, Sambalpur district collector and Superintendent of Police during the visit and discussed ways and means to end the deadlock as well as expedite the bail process of the arrested lawyers.
The litigants are facing problems as the court work has been affected due to the deadlock. Pujari said that Section 144 CrPc is still in force on the court premises. “We are hopeful that the crisis will end and normalcy will be restored. We will file a report of the visit to the BJP state leadership and central leadership,” Pujari added.
Pujari said for restoration of normalcy, the bail of the lawyers is essential.
“We are also in contact with the state government. The leaders of the SDBA and the CAC, who can take a decision on the ongoing situation, are in jail now. A decision can be taken only after the leaders are released,” he said.
Pujari said the state government should come forward to end the deadlock and restore normalcy. “We are also in contact with the Bar Council of India (BCI) and Union Law Minister to revoke the suspension order licences of lawyers. We will raise the issue in parliament and state Assembly during the Budget Sessions,” he said.
