Western Odisha Lawyers to Intensify Stir From Nov 19

Sambalpur: The Western Odisha Lawyers’ Association has decided to intensify its agitation for its demand of a permanent High Court bench from November 19. A decision to this effect was taken by the Action Committee of the association at a meeting here on Monday.

Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, convener of the Action Committee Ashok Das, said the association would picket in front of all the state and central government offices from November 19 to 30. “It has been decided to give a 48-hour bandh call in the Western Odisha districts from November 29 if the demand of the association is not met by November 28,” he added.

It may be recalled that the Centre on September 12, had asked the state government to furnish details on the established procedures for the setting up of two permanent benches of the Orissa High Court in southern and western Odisha. In a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Law and Justice Minister Rabi Shankar Prasad asked him to discuss the matter with the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court.

The Union Minister had also asked the Chief Minister to identify the location and land required for the construction of the building of the two High Court benches and the residential area for judges. He had also requested the Chief Minister to specify the jurisdiction of the two proposed benches and submit a proposal after finalising the details with the consent of the High Court Chief Justice so that the Centre can take the necessary steps.

The letter of the Union Minister was in response to the letter of the Chief Minister on September 5 this year. In his letter, the Chief Minister had said that there has been a persistent demand from the people of these regions for setting up a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court to mitigate the inconvenience faced by the litigants.