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HC Bench: lawyers to intensify agitation

BERHAMPUR: A joint action committee of lawyers of south Orissa and western Orissa would be formed to intensify their agitation for the demand of establishment of permanent benches of Orissa High Court. Agitating lawyers of both these regions now want to increase coordination between them.

A two member delegation from Sambalpur Bar Association of western Orissa reached the city on Tuesday and held discussions with the executive body of the Ganjam Bar Association. The members of the delegation were Nabin Kumar Satpathy and Prakash Chandra Satpathy. They visited Berhampur jail and interacted with the lawyers, who faced lathi charge of police before getting arrested on April 22 from the court premises. The members of the Ganjam Bar Association also condemned the arrest of lawyers in Sambalpur who were peacefully demonstrating in front of the Sambalpur district judge court on Tuesday. It may be noted that the bar associations of western Orissa had boycotted court and demonstrated in protest against lathi charge on lawyers of Ganjam Bar Association.

Mr. Satpathy and president of the Ganjam Bar Association said they are going to form a joint action committee to increase coordination between them as both are fighting for the same cause. The Ganjam Bar Association also supported the decision of the 38 bar associations of western Orissa regarding the hearing of PIL filed by advocates as regards to closure of courts in Sambalpur and Berhampur.

“Since, Orissa High Court has already denied establishment of High Court Bench in these places, we don’t expect justice from the court. Hence along with our counterparts in western Orissa we also demand hearing of the PIL outside it and we will appeal Supreme Court in this line,” said S.N.Rath, the president of the Ganjam Bar Association.

Meanwhile the 29 lawyers arrested on April 22 also moved their bail petitions on Tuesday. Mr. Rath said police had lodged several charges against innocent lawyers including attempt to murder as a result of which their bail is being delayed. The hearing of bail petitions was fixed for Wednesday.

“Since, Orissa High Court has already denied establishment of High Court Bench in these places, we don’t expect justice from the court. Hence we demand hearing of the PIL outside it and we will appeal Supreme Court in this line,” said Mr. Bipin Behari Nayak, the president of the Sambalpur District Bar Association.

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