The Odisha High Court Bar Association on Thursday began an indefinite boycott of courts condemning what they called “prevaricated statements” given by top Government functionaries over establishment of HC Benches elsewhere in the State. Making a veiled attempt to oppose the demands surfacing in several regions of the State for circuit or permanent Benches of the Odisha High Court, the HC bar association came out openly over the issue.
At a meeting of the bar association members, a unanimous resolution was passed suggesting the Government functionaries to desist from making divisive and confusing statements. Without taking the name of Finance Minister Prasanna Acharya, the resolution condemned the statement made recently by the Minister, who is representing a segment in western Odisha. Acharya earlier this week came out with a statement that State Government would soon make a recommendation to Centre to establish a HC Bench in western Odisha.
The members of the HC bar attributed the Minister’s statement as “appeasement” and said it was contrary to the statement made by the Chief Minister on the floor of the Assembly that the State Government would wait for the recommendation of the Justice CR Pal Commission before making any recommendation.
Retired High Court Judge Pal is heading a judicial commission looking into the demands coming from different regions on the issue of HC Benches. The HC bar members pointed out that these confusing statements coming from senior functionaries of the State are creating a lot of problems and the people are unnecessarily getting agitated.
HC Bar association secretary Janmejaya Katakia said lawyers boycotted the court activities from Thursday afternoon and the further course of action will be taken after reviewing situation on Monday.
“A delegation of bar will meet the CM, law Minister and Finance Minister in Bhubaneswar to express the concern,” Katakia said, adding that efforts are on to get appointment with these Ministers. Katakia, however, could not say whether other bars of Cuttack would boycott works at their respective courts in support of HC bar call. “It is open to them to take a stand on the issue,” he said.