Sharmili Mallick

The Orissa High Court Bar Association continued their protest opposing the live streaming of the Chief Justice’s court, which began on August 2.

The lawyers launched the stir on August 2 and will continue till August 9. A representative from the Orissa High Court Bar Association will meet the Chief Justice Dr Justice S Muralidhar for a discussion of the matter.

“As per the direction of the full court, a delegation from the working committee of the association and other members of the bar association will discuss the matter with the High Court on August 6,” informed President of Orissa High Court Bar Association, Jagabandhu Sahoo after a meeting with the concerned authorities on Wednesday.

“Based on the discussion on Friday, we will decide the course of action. Disciplinary action will be taken against the lawyers, belonging to the bar association, who took part in the live proceedings despite the ongoing protest. They will also be served show cause notice by the association,” added Sahoo.

The live streaming has been launched to enhance accessibility and transparency of court proceedings, as per Chief Justice S Muralidhar. However, the bar association believed that it would lower the dignity of the institution.

The Association, in a memorandum to the Chief Justice had written that the order for live streaming should be rescinded to protect the interest of large number of bar association members and the High Court as an institution. It further added that its views and suggestions were not considered while taking the decision.

“The live streaming of court proceedings has its implicit hazards as this is amenable to public access even at all odd places/ locations unless reasonable and proper care is taken after taking into confidence the members of the bar for protecting the dignity and majesty of courts and institution at large”, the memorandum read.

(Edited By Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)

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