Lawyers of Odisha's majority bar associations to observe cease

A majority 120 of the 167 bar associations Saturday decided that the lawyers will cease work and boycott all tribunals and courts, including that of the Orissa High Court, till Wednesday against recent police assault on a lawyer.

A decision to this effect was taken after a marathon meeting held at Orissa High Court Bar Association office here attended by representatives of all bars of the state, informed the Association secretary Satyabrata Mohanty.

The lawyers are agitating since August 29 against the August 28 police assault on a lawyer, whose car was involved in a series of road accidents.

Even as the Commissionerate police have placed three policemen under suspension for misconduct and the state crime branch police, upon directions from Orissa High Court, are now investigating into at least four cases registered in this connection after the August 28 incident, the lawyers are demanding arrests of the erring policemen.

Mohanty further disclosed that the lawyers have also formed an Action Committee, which will meet state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and state Law minister very soon to apprise them about the grievances of the lawyers.

The Action Committee will meet again on Wednesday to decide on the next course of action, he informed.