SC Asks Lawyers To Withdraw Strike, Join Duty

Cuttack: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the agitating lawyers to withdraw their ongoing strike and join duty.

The apex court has also directed the Orissa High Court Bar Association and other connected associations to resume court work.

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in this regard, the top court has ordered the Director General of Police (DGP) Rajendra Prasad Sharma to transfer the investigation pertaining to the case to the Crime Branch, Inspector General of Police.

The court further said that the investigation shall be within the charge of the Inspector General of Police and “we are sure, he shall conduct the investigation with all sincerity”.

The agitating lawyers had on Wednesday decided to continue their cease-work strike over police excesses till all the accused involved in the attack on their colleague are arrested.

Odisha Crime Branch had on Tuesday night arrested two persons, Kishore Jena, a Home Guard and Dillip Singh in connection with the attack on lawyer Debi Prasad Patnaik.

Following this, the Odisha Havildar Association members met DGP Rajendra Prasad Sharma to protest against the arrest of the Home Guard.

Members of the Orissa High Court Association had on the same day picketed in front of all government offices and stopped court work in Cuttack to protest against the assault on their colleague by the police.