Odisha CM Mohan Majhi Bows To Pressure, Retracts ‘No Justification For HC Bench’

Bhubaneswar: A day after creating a furore with ‘no justification’ for HC bench statement, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday clarified that the issue is under consideration and the BJP government in Odisha is committed to provide speedy justice to the people.

BJD MLA from Balangir Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, whose query in the state Assembly the previous day had stirred up the issue, sought an assurance from the government for setting up the High Court bench within a stipulated time frame. “Today, the CM clarified that the matter is under consideration, but for how long. He should give an assurance on the floor of the House on whether a circuit bench or a permanent bench of the HC will be set up in Balangir and also mention the time frame,” he said.

On Monday, the CM had said that there was no justification for setting up a bench of the Orissa High Court anywhere else in the state, citing a Supreme Court observation that the circuit bench demand had become obsolete with the passage of time and with the advent of technology while asking lawyers in Sambalpur to end their agitation after it had turned violent.

The BJD MLA further argued that the SC had made those observations in view of the lawyers’ strike. “There was no verdict on HC bench. Technology is not a replacement for a second bench or circuit bench. Balangir has first right for a permanent bench since it had a bench in the pre-Independence era,” he added.

Reconsideration of the decision also came a relief for convener of Kendriya Kriyanusthan Committee convener Ashok Das. “Wrong facts were presented before the CM as the SC had made no observation on setting up of HC bench. An investigation should also be ordered into the attempts made to malign lawyers’ strike,” he added.

Notably, BJP MLA from Sambalpur Jayanarayan Mishra had also expressed reservations over the CM’s statement. “The CM has referred to the SC judgment but population of the state is increasing and so also cases in HC. Why can’t Odisha have a HC bench when there are 3 in Uttar Pradesh and also in other states?” he had asked.

Also Read: BJP Changes Stand, Says No Justification Of HC Bench In Odisha

The BJP government also faced criticism as the party had vehemently demanded for HC bench in western Odisha and blamed the then Naveen Patnaik-led BJD dispensation for not doing enough in this regard, while in the Opposition.

Later, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said that the government will examine the whole issue and take an appropriate decision after wider consultations.