HC Bench: Orissa High Court Bench Demand Controversy in Odisha | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Majhi on Monday said there is no valid reason to set up a bench of the Orissa high court anywhere else in the state.
The CM’s response followed separate questions by BJD MLAs Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo and Manohar Randhari. Majhi cited a Supreme Court observation on the circuit bench demand and said, “There is no justification for HC bench.”
In Dec 2022, the apex court had said demand for a bench of the Orissa HC had become obsolete with the passage of time and with the advent of technology.The SC had asked lawyers in Sambalpur to end their agitation pressing for an HC bench unconditionally after it had turned violent.
Responding to media queries on the issue, law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the govt will examine the whole issue and take the appropriate decision on the matter after wider consultations. Demand for HC benches have come from different parts of the state.
Senior BJP MLA from Sambalpur and former minister Jaya Narayan Mishra said the party continues to stick to its demand for a HC bench in western Odisha. “We continue to stick to our demand for an HC bench in western Odisha. We have not withdrawn from the demand,” he said.
“Pendency of cases are on the rise. Justice delayed is justice denied. High courts in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have benches. Why shouldn’t Odisha have benches of HC?” Mishra asked.
It must be mentioned that while in opposition, BJP had supported the demand for HC bench in western Odisha. Lawyers in the region had spearheaded an agitation on the issue for more than two decades. Opposition BJD and Congress said the govt decision is a betrayal on the people of Odisha.
Stating that the demand for HC benches in western Odisha, particularly the one in Balangir is being made for years, BJD MLA Singh Deo said the govt should consider the fact that Balangir used to have a circuit bench of the HC before independence, which was subsequently closed. “It’s a betrayal of western Odisha. UP has three benches of the HC. There is no hurdle for an HC bench in western Odisha provided the state govt has the will to do so,” he said. Singh Deo said the govt should re-consider its decision and ensure a bench of the HC in Balangir.
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