A delegation of Odisha High Court Bar Association on Saturday asked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to refrain from making any recommendation to Union Government for establishment of a permanent High Court Bench in Western or Southern region.
“ There is no need and also legal standing behind making recommendation for creation of Benches of Odisha High Court in other parts of the State “, said Shyamananda Mohapatra senior advocate after the delegation of lawyers met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik .
Making clear the views of lawyers of High Court, Mohapatra said, “We will take a call on the issue at the next meeting of the Bar Assocaition” stating that the Chief Minister assured the delegation that the Government would take steps as per law.
Chief Minister, according to official sources, urged the Bar Association to call off its strike and allow the high court to function normally.
The lawyers of high court have boycotted courts since Thursday to protest the State Government's move to establish permanent Benches in other parts of the State.
Finance Minister Prasanna Acharya had recently announced that the State Government would recommend establishment of a permanent Bench in the western region of the State.
Acharya had made the statement in view of the year-long agitation by lawyers of nine western districts.After a recent general body meeting of the members, a unanimous resolution was passed by the Bar Association, asking government functionaries to desist from making divisive and confusing statements.
On the Bar Association's demand for increasing the existing strength of the high court judges, Patnaik agreed to increase their number from 22 to 27 and assured the agitating lawyers that immediate steps would be taken to help faster delivery of justice to the common people.India, US seal first commercial deal on civil nuclear power - no discussion on liability issue