Sambalpur, Dec. 1: The agitating lawyers of Sambalpur on Wednesday resorted to agitation, prevented the judges to enter court premises on their demand for a High court bench notwithstanding a warning from the Apex court,
It was a tough day for the police as the advocates were not prepared to budge on their demand for a high court bench and resorted to cease work.
Police tried to facilitate the entry of judges into court as per Supreme Court order. Even Sambalpur Superintendent of Police B Gangadhar was present to convince the advocate to respect the Supreme Court’s instructions but in vain
After long altercations and heated arguments, the magistrates returned home without entering the court as the advocates remained firm on their stand like before.
The Apex court had asked the State Bar Council to cancel the licenses of the lawyers if they resort to agitation and prevent the judges from discharging their duty
Senior advocate and also a member of the central action committee (CAC) Pradeep Bahidar said “We are not afraid of cancellations of the licences. We are even ready to surrender the licences of 1600 advocates”
He further said the lawyers will not refrain from a public agitation to have a high court bench and get justice at the doorstep.
The advocates requested the judges not to go to court since they are fighting for a public cause. It was a challenge before the police to clear the way for the judges. But due to strong protest from the advocates the judges returned home after waiting for an hour on the road.
Keeping in view to the advocates’ firmness and the Apex court’s directive the entire court area turned into a police camp,
IIICs of the entire town apart, the IICs of the rural areas of the entire district were called for duty. The SP himself was on the spot along with one ASP, five DSPs and all IICs of the district and five platoons of police forces to deal with the situation.
Sambalpur district bar association President Sureswar Mishra said the agitation is totally peaceful.
He said, “ we have our highest regard for the judiciary but at the same time we have to look into public demand also.”