Union Law Minister Refutes Reports On HC Bench In W Odisha, Says State Govt Has No Interest

Bhubaneswar: The Centre has refuted the reports on Union Law Minister’s statement on High Court bench demand in western Odisha as ‘incorrect’.

In a clarification, issued to the media on Tuesday, the Ministry of Law and Justice said a news item has appeared in some sections of media in Odisha incorrectly quoting that Union Minister for Law & Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal has stated that “e-Courts make High Court Bench demand in the Western Odisha irrelevant”.

“The Union Minister was actually conveying that due to the availability of Virtual Benches under e-Courts Project implemented by Government of India and Supreme Court of India at several locations in Odisha, the need for separate permanent Benches of the Orissa High Court is no longer there as the Government of India is yet to receive a complete proposal from the state government with the consent of the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court for establishment of such permanent benches as per the recommendations of the Jaswant Singh Commission,” the Ministry said.

It also said the proposal for setting up Benches of a High Court is considered by the Centre after receiving a complete proposal from the state government with the consent of the Chief Justice of the High Court and the Governor. This is in accordance with recommendations made by the Jaswant Singh Commission and judgment of the Supreme Court.

It further said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had written to the Centre on September 5, 2018, and January 11, 2019, in this regard. On January 12, 2019, then Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad wrote to the chief minister advising him to submit a detailed report, involving the opinion of the HC, the site for the bench, building and quarters for the judges, to the Union Government.

“However, the state government did not make any effort for obtaining High Court’s opinion and other requirements asked by the Union Government,” the clarification stated.

“Replying to unstarred question raised by Sasmit Patra on July 20, 2023, I have already replied that there is no proposal by Government of Odisha for establishing a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in Western Odisha. This is despite multiple requests by Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India seeking such a proposal agreed by Chief Justice of Orissa High Court and with consent of Governor of Odisha,” the Union Minister said.

“This is a clear reflection that Government of Odisha has no interest in establishing a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in Western Odisha,” he added.

Also Read: E-Courts Make HC Bench Demand In Western Odisha Irrelevant: Union Minister