SC urges Orissa High Court lawyers to call off cease-work stir

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today urged the agitating lawyers of Orissa High Court to call off their cease-work agitation and resume court work.

The apex court in its order further restrained Orissa High Court Bar Association and other connected associations from going on strike and resume court work so that no impediment is caused to any litigant.

The lawyers have been agitating since August 30 alleging assault of one of their colleagues by police in Cuttack.

The Supreme Court also directed Odisha DGP to transfer the investigation of the incident to IG (Crime Branch).

It is pertinent to mention that, on August 28, lawyer Debi Prasanna Pattnaik was allegedly beaten up by police personnel in public view at Shastri Nagar in Nuabazar area.

Subsequently, Cuttack DCP Akhileswar Singh had suspended two constables—BK Samal and UK Bhuyan and a Havildar PK Behera in connection with the incident.

Protesting police excess and demanding arrest of the accused personnel, the lawyers have been observing cease-work work agitation since August 30.
Meanwhile, the Crime Branch of Odisha Police on September 25 arrested two persons including a Home Guard.

The arrested duo, identified as Home Guard Kishore Jena and one Dilip Singh, was taken into the custody for violation of Section 41 of the CrPC, sources said. However, the lawyers have refused to call off their strike demanding arrest of all four accused.