Lawyers’ agitation in Odisha: HC sets deadline to finish probe

Cuttack: Keeping in mind the benefits of the litigants, the Orissa High Court today asked Investigating Officer (IO) of the case pertaining to lawyers’s stir over alleged attack on their colleague should be completed before November 9, the next date of hearing of the case.

The High Court directive came after senior advocate Bijan Roy, taking consent of the Bar Association members, urged the court to intervene in the matter to find an immediate solution for benefits of all, including lawyers and litigants at large.

As per the High Court Chief Justice K.S. Jhaveri, the investigation will be supervised by sitting judge C.R. Dash.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice C.R. Dash, a judge of this Court will supervise the investigation day-to-day and the Investigating Officer is directed to report to the concerned Judge everyday to appraise the development of the investigation, a statement issued by Jhaveri said.

It is learnt that the IO of the case is on leave on the ground of illness. The Chief Justice said: “We direct the investigation of the case will be carried out immediately after resumption of the officer on duty. The investigation shall be completed before the next date of hearing.”

Notably, the lawyers’ association has been spearheading the agitation along with the Bar Council of Odisha are on strike since August 29 demanding the arrest of a police constable and a police havildar for allegedly beating up a lawyer on August 28 here.

The lawyers’ association got divided when some lawyers supporting the ruling BJD had distanced itself from the agitating members of the Bar Association and decided to resume their duty on Monday citing the benefits of litigants.