While a Vacation Bench of the Odisha High Court had earlier this month refrained itself from giving any opinion about the current law and order situation in the State, former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Gopal Ballav Pattanaik on Tuesday categorically stated that he is not satisfied over the present law and order situation in Cuttack.
Justice Pattanaik was reacting after his newly-constructed house here in Sector 11 of Abhinav Bidanasi was damaged in stone pelting. The incident assumed significance as the Commissionerate policing in the twin cities have come under sever flak after the recent daring robberies in the houses of a former High Court Judge and a senior advocate of the same locality.
"I am not satisfied with the present law and order situation in the city and since the State government is not providing us any protection, I am planning to deploy private armed security guards at my house," said the 78-year-old retired judge in disgust. For the deteriorating law and order situation in the city, the common people are suffering a lot, he said.
While the robbery in the house of former High Court Judge has already been detected with recovery of parts of stolen items and cash, the police are still clueless about the other two shocking incidents. A senior city police officer said investigations into the incidents are on. Notably, a Division Bench of vacation judges while adjudicating a PIl pertaining to the deteriorating law and order situation in the State had suggested certain interim measures to strengthen the hands of the Government in maintaining the law and order.
"Since we have passed the order without the response of the Government, it should not be construed as a reflection of any opinion on the law and order situation in the State," said the Bench comprising Justices BP Ray and Biswanath Rath on June 4 while adjudicating the petition filed by social activist and advocate Chittaranjan Mohanty.