Supreme Court directs suspension of licenses of agitating lawyers in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court today directed the Bar Council of India to suspend the licenses of agitating lawyers in several districts of Odisha.

The bench, headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, also directed for arrangements by police to prevent lawyers from obstructing the working of court.

“100% work to be resumed,” the court said.

The top court was hearing an application filed by the Registrar General of the Orissa High Court saying the bar associations’ strike in several districts has seriously hampered the judicial work in all the subordinate courts.

“The Supreme Court today ordered for suspension of licenses of the lawyers striking in Odisha till resumption of work. The suspension can be revoked after they join the work. The Supreme Court also directed the district administrations to ensure smooth functioning of courts by providing protection to judicial officers and litigants, so that they can reach courts conveniently. The local administrations have been asked to impose prohibitory orders and make preventive detentions, if necessary,” said Niranjan Sahu, Supreme Court lawyer.

Earlier, the Sambalpur District Bar Association had said that around 1600 lawyers will surrender their licence if one of them is suspended. The agitators have resorted to cease-work demanding establishment of a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court in Sambalpur.