Cuttack: The Full Bench of the Orissa High Court on Tuesday initiated a suo motu contempt case against different bar associations in connection with continuous strike and cessation of court works by the bar members in various courts in the State, including the High Court.
In a first, Chief Justice KS Jhaveri convened a full-court hearing and issued as many as 136 notices to different stakeholders. All the 14 judges assembled to hear the case.
Apart from Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Law Secretary, BCI Chairman and Chairman of Odisha Bar Council, the Full Bench of HC issued at least 136 notices to office bearers of Bar Associations in different parts of the State. They have been asked to respond by October 21.
“In view of the strike and cessation of court works in some parts of the State, including the High Court obstructing the administration of justice, following reference has been made to this bench on the basis of the reports received from the district judges and the Registry of the court,” reads the contempt notice.
“In view of continuous strike and cessation of courts work by the Bar members in some parts of the state including the High Court thereby obstructing the administration of justice and in view of the number of decisions of the Supreme Court on this issue, the matter is required to be considered in judicial side,” it reads.
“In terms of the decisions of the Supreme Court of India in the case of Ex-Capt Harish Uppal Vs Union of India & Anr (2003) 2 SSC 45 and in the case of Hussain and Anr Vs Union of India (2017) 5 SCC 702, why steps shall not be taken for violation of the guidelines framed in the afrosaid judgements,” it further reads.
The Bar Association had resorted to strike after a general body meeting of the association convened on Sunday, wherein the members unanimously “condemned” the recent resolution of the Supreme Court and High Court Collegiums.
