Cop-lawyer spat: Nov 9 date to complete probe

CUTTACK: In an effort to hasten resolution of the continuing lawyers’ strike, the Orissa High Court on Tuesday directed the Inspector General of Police, Crime Branch to complete investigation into the police-lawyer spat by November 9. 

The IG of CB, who is the investigating officer (IO) in the case, has been instructed to report the development in the probe to Justice CR Dash on a day-to-day basis. The direction was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice KS Jhaveri and Justice KR Mohapatra while hearing the PILs filed by Nationalist Lawyers Forum and Cuttack Bar Association in connection with alleged assault of a lawyer by police personnel. The petitioners have demanded a judicial probe either by a sitting or former HC Judge and arrest of the errant police officials.

As the Advocate General sought more time for submitting investigation report citing illness of the IO who is on a leave for five days, senior Advocate Bijan Roy on behalf of Orissa High Court Bar Association suggested to court to give necessary direction to the IO to complete the investigation within five days under the supervision of a sitting Judge of the court. 

“In view of such suggestion made on behalf of the Orissa High Court Bar Association and keeping in view the interest of the litigants at large, we direct that the investigation of the case will be carried out immediately after resumption of officer on duty, who is suffering from viral fever and the investigation shall be completed before next date of hearing,” the Chief Justice ruled while posting the next date of hearing to November 9.

Meanwhile, the Orissa High Court Bar Association in its General Body meeting on Tuesday unanimously decided to continue the cease-work agitation till November 1. “We will apprise the court order to all the Bar Associations across the State and also seek their views to decide further course of action in next general body meeting on Thursday,” Orissa High Court Bar Association president Srikant Kumar Nayak said.