A four-member delegation of eminent citizens of Sambalpur met Orissa High Court Chief Justice KS Jhaveri and placed their demand for establishment of a permanent High Court Bench in western Odisha.
The delegation comprising former Vice-Chancellor Prof Sankar Prasad Pati, Prof AP Padhee, Dr Narayani Panda and Rabindra Mishra met the Chief Justice at his residence at Cuttack on Thursday night and submitted a memorandum citing various reasons in support of their demand.
“As the role of a High Court is very important for establishment of a permanent bench, we requested the Chief Justice to take steps in this direction. The Chief Justice gave a patient hearing and had discussion for about an hour on the issue,” said Prof Pati.
According to Pati, the Chief Justice opined that he alone cannot take a decision and the issue needs to be discussed in a full bench. If a request comes from the State Government then he would place it in the full bench, he said.
Meanwhile, a delegation of lawyers and citizens of Balangir met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his visit on Thursday and submitted a memorandum demanding establishment of a High Court bench at Balangir. The delegation led by action committee convenor Lalit Nayak and Bar Association Secretary Aman Nag cited that during the king’s period there was a High Court at in Balangir. Action committee members have been staging a dharna in front of the district Collector’s office since December 3, 2018.
The Central Action Committee (CAC) of western Odisha lawyers, which is spearheading agitation for a HC Bench, has decided to boycott the Republic Day official funtion and organize a parallel function in the agitation venue.
Offices of the State and Central Governments and entire judiciary have been closed since September 5 due to agitation and dharna by the lawyers.
“Without applying for any leave, we are enjoying holidays,” said an employee leader here. Some of the officers were seen working from their residence without any supporting staffs. The offices will not be allowed to function till establishment of a HC Bench, said CAC convenor Ashok Das.