In a major setback to the State government, particularly the police department, the Orissa High Court on Monday restored the suspension of three policemen.
The policemen were placed under suspension for “misconduct” after they had allegedly thrashed an advocate in full public view at a busy marketplace here on August 28. But while the stand-off between the police and the advocate was still unresolved and the matter was pending before the High Court, the State government had on November 3 reinstated the suspended cops.
“In our considered opinion, during pendency of this case, the State government ought not to have done that without permission of the court,” said an order passed by a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice K.S. Jhaveri. “The order of revoking the suspension of the policemen is put in abeyance,” the High Court said, adding: “The order of suspension of those employees of the Odisha police is restored.”
In a related development, Justice C.R. Dash of the High Court, who is now monitoring the police investigation of all criminal cases arising out of the police-lawyer stand-off, on Monday proposed a compromise formula to end the row.
Although details are not known yet, sources said Justice Dash has suggested summoning the policemen concerned and the advocate to the court, wherein both the parties would express regret for the assaults on each other.
Meanwhile, the lawyers have decided to continue their strike till Wednesday.