NAGARJUNA SETHI Vs. STATE OF ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, a practi- sing advocate of this Court, has filed this writ petition in the interest of the public bringing to the notice of this Court a news item published in the New Indian Express on 23-9-1999 vide Annexure-1, wherein it was stated that the Chairman of the Orissa State Administrative Tribunal. Bar Association (shortly "the Tribunal') passed an order to its Principal Bench at Bhubaneswar against which the members of the Orissa State Administrative Tribunal. Bar Association (shortly the Association') decided to send memoranda to the President of India, Chief Justice of India, Chief Justice of Orissa as well as the Law Ministry.

(2.) The petitioner in the present writ petition alleges that this is not the solitary incident but there were repeated disturbances in the past and there are instances of mal-administration against which protest was lodged by the practising lawyers at various point of time. The prayer in the writ petition is to direct opposite party Nos. 3 and 4 i.e. the Chairman and the Registrar of the Tribunal respectively to open the Principal Bench of the Tribunal at Bhubaneswar and its Circuit Bench of Berhampur, immediately.

(3.) On 1-10-1999 notice on this application was issued by special messenger and the matter was directed to be listed on 12-10-1999. In the meantime, it was brought to the notice of this Court by opposite party No. 5 the Secretary of the Association, by filing Misc. Case No. 11779 of 1999 that an order had been passed by the Chairman on 6-10-1999, vide Annexure-A for re-opening of the Principal Bench of the Tribunal. The relevant portion of the aforesaid order (Annexure-A) reads as follows:-