PLR PROJECTS PVT. LTD Vs. MAHANADI COALFIELDS LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) An affidavit has been filed on behalf of the Orissa High Court by the Registrar which shows that despite our last order dated 8th November, 2019 some of the districts where practically no work has been done through out the year have not resumed work. We had already expressed our sentiments in that order and the continued absentation of lawyers from the court for such a long period of time is an impetus to the litigants to resort to extra judicial proceedings. We thus consider appropriate to request the High Court to identify the adjacent districts where persons can seek redressal of their grievances and in which districts there is normal working and create concurrent jurisdiction in those districts and transfer adequate number of officers from the non-working districts to the working districts for the said purpose.

(2.) It has been expressed before us by some counsels present that the problem arises from the demand for creation of a Bench of the High Court in the western and southern part of Orissa on account of large distance to travel to the High Court. Even if that is a grievance, it cannot bring the working of the district courts to a standstill. we fail to appreciate as to how there is a proper atmosphere to create a Bench when even work at district level is not taking place. The creation of a bench of the High Court is a question to be examined by the High Court but in this atmosphere there can be no question of the same or rather should not be examined till such time as the advocates in these districts get back to normal work.

(3.) We also call upon the State Bar Council and Bar Council of India to inform us as to what steps have they taken to ensure smooth functioning of all the courts and against delinquent lawyers who despite their advise persist in abstaining from work and affidavit be filed in this behalf within three weeks.