The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Bar Council of India to cancel the license of agitating lawyers. It has also asked the district administrations to provide protection to judicial officials and others.
“If needed, arrest the protesters”, read the Supreme Court verdict which came in response to a petition filed by the Orissa High Court.
The bench expressed its anger after learning that court works have been affected badly due to lawyers’ protests over the setting up of High Court benches in the state.
“It is not feasible to come up with High Court bench in every district. It is not humanly possible to set up so many High Court benches in almost all districts. It is not possible practically and infrastructure wise. It is not prudent. Bihar is a big state but it has one High Court at Patna”, the bench stated.
Talking to OTV, Supreme Court lawyer Niranjan Sahu said, “The court was informed that despite saying no to picketing and protesting, lawyers in some places resorted to protest violating the Supreme Court’s ruling. The lawyers’ strike created problems for judicial officials and common people. Expressing its displeasure over it, the Apex Court has instructed the Bar Council of India to suspend the license of agitating lawyers till they resume court work.”
He added: “The Supreme Court’s order is not being implemented for which common people are suffering. So, it has directed the district administrations to ensure that court proceedings will not be disturbed. Besides, it has asked the administration to provide security to the judicial officials.”
It is pertinent to mention that the demand for a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in western Odisha at Sambalpur has been mounting for a long time.
The lawyers alleged that the Centre had sought a complete proposal for the establishment of a permanent bench, but the Odisha government is not taking any constructive step in this regard.