Orissa HC Bar Association calls off cease-work stir

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court Bar Association today called off its month-long cease-work agitation after having discussions with Chief Justice of India Deepak Mishra and other senior judges of the High Court.

As per the decision taken at the Bar Association general body meeting, the lawyers would resume duty from tomorrow. The decision to call off stir was taken after the CJI assured to fulfil their demands and fill the vacant posts of judges as per the requirement of the High Court.

Reportedly, the lawyers of the Orissa High Court bar association had launched a cease-work agitation from February 12 protesting the shortage of judges in the High Court.

This apart, they had boycotted court proceedings to make their demand loud and clear. Bar Association Secretary Satyabrata Mohanty informed that since 2015, there has been no appointment of judges in Orissa High Court while other high courts are getting judges.

As per sources, the Orissa High Court has a sanctioned strength of 27 judges but presently there are only 16. Moreover, by July this year the strength of judges in the High Court will come down to 14 as two judges are likely to retire in July, sources added.