Kalahandi lawyers cease court work

The Pioneer, Sept 6, 2009
Pioneer News Service | Bhawanipatna

Members of the Kalahandi Bar Association ceased court work here on Friday demanding immediate postings of Special Judge, Vigilance-cum-Additional Sessions Judge, Munsiff-cum-Civil Judge, Junior Division, and JMFC.

Holding a meeting in front of the District Court, the lawyers said the State Government had sanctioned posts of the Special Judge, Vigilance-cum-Addtional Sessions Judge as far back as on August 20, 2001, and, accordingly, all the infrastructures were made ready for functioning of the courts. But no judges have been appointed for these courts even after eight long years. The people of this region have to go to Berhampur to file their cases in courts for redressal of their grievances facing a lot of inconveniences and spending a lot of money, they pointed out.

The court of Munsiff-cum-Civil Judge, Junior Division, was functioning at Bhawanipatna since 2000, but it was wound up a year ago without any reason, the lawyers further pointed out. Similarly, the court of JMFC has also been closed after the officer was transferred to Madanpur-Rampur, they said, adding that the district of Kalhandi is predominantly inhabited by SC and ST people.

The lawyers rued that although the Bar Association of Kalahandi had approached the Orissa High Court regarding the grievances, there was no positive response, which compelled the association to go on strike by ceasing court work and the litigants had to return to their home without being able to do their court cases.

Association president Gajendra Padhi, secretary Ashutosh Mishra, treasurer Debasish Pattnaik and executive committee members submitted a memorandum on their demands to the District Judge.