HC lawyers boycott court opposing circuit bench demands

Orissa High Court advocates here today boycotted court proceedings to protest the strike by lawyers in western Odisha demanding a permanent bench in the region.
Orissa High Court Bar Association secretary Janmejaya Katakia said they boycotted proceedings to express their displeasure over the recent developments in some parts of the state demanding establishment of High Court circuit benches.
Lawyers supported by various political parties, including the ruling BJD, have launched a strike in eight districts of Western Odisha by closing all government offices and judicial courts demanding a permanent bench there.
The High Court lawyers, however, said Orissa High Court was established in Cuttack under Article 10 of Orissa High Court Order of 1948 and this order is protected under Article 225 of Constitution.

Under the order, the state government is not authorised to decide on shifting of the seat of the High Court or fix places of sitting of the High Court, an advocate said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had yesterday invited the agitating lawyers of Western Odisha for talks over their demand.
"Parliament alone has the power to enact law as to where the High Court shall be established," the advocate said, quoting Entry 78 of Schedule VII of the Constitution that explains constitution and organisation of High Court.