The Odisha High Court on Wednesday rapped the State Government for not being “serious” in the proper functioning of the courts even as two senior officers in the presence of the Advocate-General begged apology and gave an assurance that concrete steps would be taken henceforth for the smooth functioning of courts.
In response to an order passed on Tuesday for personal appearance of the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary and the DGP, only DGP Sanjeev Marik and an Additional Secretary in the Home Department appeared in person before Justice Biswanath Rath on Wednesday and expressed their regrets for the inconvenience caused. They also assured the court to make all possible attempts for immediate functioning of courts.
While the lawyers are boycotting the courts for the last five days demanding stringent action against erring IPS officer Satish Gajbhiye for being brutal on public during last week’s trouble in Kendrapada, Justice Rath, during adjudication of a criminal miscellaneous case on Tuesday, had become furious when neither the petitioner nor the petitioner’s advocate appeared to argue the case.
Expressing displeasure over the non-functioning of courts, Justice Rath had ordered for the personal appearances of the top functionaries of the Government.
DGP Marik and the Home Department officer, however, appearing in person made a clear averment to the court that they are “deeply sorry” for the present situation and on behalf of the State also assured to make all possible attempts for immediate functioning of courts at least by ensuring presence of officials with case records in the listed matters.