SC Raps Odisha Police Over Lawyers’ Agitation

Bhubaneswar: With lawyers continuing their stir demanding a High Court bench in Sambalpur, the Supreme Court on Monday pulled up top Odisha police officials over handling of the strike in the state.

The apex court observed that the state Director General of Police (DGP) and Inspector General of Police, Sambalpur have failed in handling the situation. The court asked both the senior officials to appear via video conference on Wednesday.

As per reports, the court said that the Odisha Police should inform if they cannot handle the agitation. Central forces will be deployed if the Odisha Police is unable to control the situation, it said.

Meanwhile, the striking lawyers clashed with the police at Kacheri Chhakk in Sambalpur while staging a demonstration on Monday to press for establishment of a permanent bench of the High Court in the western Odisha city.

According to reports, the agitating lawyers scuffled with police personnel while trying to enter the court premises by breaking the  barricades.

The lawyers asserted that they will not give up their demand even if their licenses are suspended or they are arrested.

It may be noted here that the Supreme Court has directed the Bar Council of India to suspend the licenses of agitating lawyers in several districts of Odisha.

The apex court had last month expressed concern over the lawyers’ strike in the state and issued notice to the Bar Council of India and the Bar Council of Odisha.

The court had taken a serious view of the agitation after it came to know that court works have been affected due to lawyers’ stir in the state. The bench also slapped notice on different district bar associations asking them to make their stand on the issue.

The apex court’s order came following a petition filed by the Orissa High Court over loss of working hours due to non-participation of members of different bar associations of the state in court proceedings.