Courts could not function across Baleswar district on Wednesday as lawyers stage a cease-work agitation, demanding establishment of a permanent High Court Bench for north Odisha, a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), a State Administrative Tribunal (SAT), an educational tribunal and a correction home for juvenile offenders, all at Baleswar.
The agitating lawyers said that it was a matter of pain for them when the State Government has recommended establishment of a High Court Bench in western Odisha .
“Northern Odisha comprises Baleswar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar and Baleswar is the most suitable for establishing a HC Bench as the number of pendency of cases is higher here compared to other regions. Our demand for a HC Bench at Baleswar is legitimate and, thus, should be considered forthwith. A delegation of our Bar will meet the Chief Justice of the Odisha High Court and then Chief Minister to place the demand within a week,” said Bar Association Secreteary Sambit Nandy.
“Besides, we too demand for establishment of CAT, SAT and educational tribunal in view of number of related cases pending in the zone. Courts couldn’t function in Baleswar, Jaleswar, Soro and Nilgiri.