The Central Action Committee (CAC) of the lawyers of the western Odisha that held its meeting here lamented the role of the State Government and the Union law Ministry for delay in establishing a Bench of the High Court here.
At the same time, it also opined that the case filed in the Supreme Court on the matter of cease-work and strikes at different points of time to get the demand materialised is nothing but a clear cut conspiracy to suppress the sentiment of the crores of people of the region, the CAC opined.
The Sunday meeting mainly discussed on the matter of contempt of court in the Supreme Court of India against Sabir Ahammad, the former president of the Sambalpur district bar association. Sabir was the elected president for the year 2014-15 against whom a former member of the Sambalpur district bar association filed a case in Supreme Court protesting the cease work and strikes for High Court bench. Following the allegation, the Supreme Court issued summon against Sabir on the charge of contempt of court since the former has banned any type of cease work or strike by advocates.
“The decision for cease work was not the individual decision of former president Sabir Ahammad but the decision of the 36 bar associations of the entire western Odisha. Hence, all the advocates of the region and 36 bar associations will stand behind Sabir,” confirmed CAC convenor Ashok Dash.
“The CAC has utmost respect for the Supreme Court and the law of the land. But the present case against Sabir is a conspiracy against the western Odisha,” he added.
“In other places of the country and in Odisha High Court, the advocate resort to cease work for various demands. It is a regular affair everywhere in the country. Hence, contempt of court against Sabir in the apex court of the country seems to be totally intentional and to suppress a popular demand of the people of a vast region seeking justice at the door step,” Dash said further.
As part of future course of action, the advocates will make picketing in front of different offices and courts on April 29 and the day will be observed as ‘Sanghati Diwas’, the CAC decided in the meeting.
In spite of contempt of court case against Sabir, the cease work and agitation by the advocates will continue as per the previous programme as this movement doesn’t violet the orders of the Supreme Court, Dash said further.