Odisha cops-lawyers spat: CB fails to submit chargesheet; hearing deferred

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today posted the hearing over alleged assault of a lawyer by police personnel to November 12 as the State Crime Branch failed to submit a complete chargesheet in this regard.

Crime Branch IG Arun Bothra, who was given the charge of investigation in the case, appeared before the court today and sought a time period of six weeks for submitting the chargesheet, sources said, adding that the court rejected the police official’s appeal.

The court had earlier directed Bothra to complete investigation into the police-lawyer spat by November 9.

On the other hand, the court today expressed displeasure over revocation of suspension of the police personnel who were suspended by Cuttack DCP Akhileswar Singh in connection with the attack on the lawyer.

Meanwhile, the Orissa High Court Bar Association today decided to continue the cease-work agitation of its lawyers till November 12. The association will decide its future course of action at the general council meeting scheduled to be held on the same date.

The association has also agreed to a proposal of the Odisha DGP RP Sharma to hold discussion with the top cop.

Notably, the agitating lawyers are demanding arrest of the police personnel accused in attack on advocate Debi Prasad Patnaik.

It may be recalled that Debi Prasad Patnaik had an argument with some cops in connection with a road accident at Nuabazar in Cuttack on August 28 night following which the policemen had allegedly beaten him.