Depositions begin before Justice Pal panel on HC benches

The much-awaited deposition by witnesses before the Justice CR Pal Commission of Inquiry, which is studying the demands by various regions in the state seeking benches of Orissa High Court, began here today.
The commission is probing the demands for circuit or permanent benches of high court raised by people in various areas of the state.
On the day, representatives of the bars at the Koraput and Kalahandi courts deposed before the commission over their claims to a bench of high court in their respective areas.
Sources said that those who deposed before the commission today stated that their respective regions fulfilled all the criteria for having a high court bench.

They added that the members of the bars from courts in Rourkela and Mayurbhanj would depose before the commission on Saturday.
Although the Commission has received about 100 affidavits from several bars and eminent persons in the state, it is likely to record depositions by a few witnesses only so as to submit its report by the end of October this year.

Set up in January 2008, the commission has received 10 extensions in the meantime, each every six months.
The tenure of the commission was last extended in June this year for another six months.
However, given the stirs in some parts of the state over the demand for HC benches, the state government had requested the commission to submit its report by October this year.