Sambalpur: The Central Action Committee (CAC) of all Bar Associations of Western Odisha decided today evening to suspend the ongoing movement/strike, keeping in view the decision of the Supreme Court.

“Action Committee and Bar Association, Sambalpur, Odisha have high hope for the formation of a permanent Bench of Orissa High Court in Western Odisha at Sambalpur from all the Constitutional Authorities –Central Government, State Government and Hon’ble High Court of Odisha. The Central Action Committee of all Bar Associations of Western Odisha repose complete faith in the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” a resolution passed by the lawyers’ outfit in this regard mentioned.

Earlier in the day, chairman of Sambalpur Bar Association Action Committee Pradeep Bohidar had said that the agitation by lawyers demanding the establishment of a permanent Bench of the Orissa High Court here will continue despite the action taken by the Bar Council of India.

“The agitation will not stop. It will intensify with the support of people. The Bar Council of India has issued an order canceling the license of some agitating lawyers. However, the license was issued by the Odisha Bar Council. We will not accept the order till we get a directive in this regard from the State Bar Council. We are ready for any legal fight,” Bohidar earlier said adding that the suspension of license and arrest of lawyers are illegal.

It is pertinent to mention, Sambalpur police have so far arrested 17 agitating lawyers over their alleged involvement in vandalism on the premises of the District Court here yesterday. They have been arrested under Sections 147, 341, 323, 353, 332, 506, 186, 188 and 149 of the IPC.

The accused lawyers had allegedly resorted to vandalism inside the chamber of a district judge. The number of arrests is likely to increase as the police are examining CCTV footage of the court premises to identify others involved in the offence.

The Bar Council of India has suspended the ‘license of practice’ of 29 agitating lawyers for a period of 18 months. It has also suspended all members of the district bar association till further orders.