Odisha govt faces HC flak for non-functioning of courts

The Orissa High Court today slammed the state government for not being "serious" to ensure proper functioning of courts in the state, drawing an apology from two senior officers in the presence of the Advocate General (AG).
In response to an order passed on Tuesday for personal appearance of the state Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary and the DGP, DGP Sanjeeb Marik and an Additional Secretary in the home department today appeared in person before the court of Justice Biswanath Rath and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.
Over Justice Rath's stinging comment about the government not being serious about the matter, the two gave an assurance that concrete steps would be taken henceforth for smooth functioning of courts.

Justice Rath, while adjudicating a criminal case on Tuesday, became furious when neither the petitioner nor the petitioner's advocate appeared to argue the case and ordered for the personal appearances of the top functionaries of the state government.
The lawyers had been boycotting the courts for the last five days demanding stringent action against IPS officer Satish Gajbhiye who had allegedly used force on public during an incident in Kendrapara last week.
In their submission to the court today, DGP Marik and the home department officer prayed to the single bench that they were "deeply sorry" for the present situation and on behalf of the state also assured to make all possible attempts for immediate functioning of the courts at least by ensuring the presence of officials with case records in the listed matters.