Vandalism During Odisha Lawyers’ Strike; SC Gives Last Chance to 33 Sambalpur Lawyers to Submit Affidavits

In contempt proceedings against lawyers who had indulged in vandalism in court premises during their strike demanding formation of new benches of the Orissa High Court, the Supreme Court, on Monday, granted last opportunity to the lawyers who have not filed their affidavits to do so within a period.

According to LiveLaw.in, a bench comprising Justice SK Kaul and Justice Aravind Kumar was apprised that of the 190 lawyers who had been served notices, 33 are yet to file affidavits.

The Counsel appearing for the contemnor lawyers submitted that some of the affidavits are already with him, but there are certain defects that need to be cured. In view of the same he sought three weeks’ time to file them.

It was brought to the notice of the Bench that some of the contemnors have not been served. Accordingly, the Bench directed the unserved contemnors to be served. It directed the matter to be next listed in August, 2023, said LiveLaw.in.
Court bench in the region. The Supreme Court had asked them to get back to their work or else their licenses would be suspended from the Bar Council of India.

Following the Apex Court’s direction, the Odisha State Bar Council had on November 15 asked the bar associations in Sambalpur, Talcher and Pallahara to end their strikes and return to work immediately.