Cuttack: A full bench of Orissa High Court on Monday conducted hearing on the contempt of court case against several bar associations across Odisha for obstructing court's work through continuous strike in opposition to the Supreme Court's decision.
The HC bench comprising Chief Justice K S Jhaveri and all 13 judges of the court conducted the hearing during which, the representatives of HC Bar Association and other respondents deposed before the bench and sought four weeks time to submit their replies. Later, the bench posted the next hearing to November 4.
Taking suo moto cognizance of the frequent strikes by lawyers, in its October 15 hearing, the bench had issued notices to bar associations across the State seeking reply by October 21, on why lawyers boycotting court proceedings shouldn’t be held contempt of court.
This apart, the bench had also served notices to Chief Secretary, Secretaries of Home & Law Departments, Presidents of National and State Bar Council and High Court Bar Association President and Secretary.
The members of the Orissa HC Bar Association have been protesting the collegium system for the appointment of High Court Judges. Earlier, the lawyers had also boycotted the court of the Chief Justice for several days over the issue.
This apart, members of several bar associations in western and southern parts of Odisha have been regularly staging agitation demanding permanent HC bench in their respective regions.