[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE full bench of the Orissa High Court today took a suo motu cognizance of aresolution adopted by the High Court Bar Association on Monday, wherein theassociation had unanimously criticized Supreme Court Collegium and Orissa HighCourt Collegium.
The contempt notice read,
“"In view of continuous strike and cessation of Courts work by the Bar Members insome parts of the State including the High Court thereby obstructing theadministration of justice and in view of the number of decisions of theSupreme Court on this issue, the matter is required to be considered in judicial side."
The association had demanded abolition of Collegium system and introduction ofNational Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) in the country.
A 14-member full bench of the Orissa High Court headed by Chief Justice KalpeshSatyendra Jhaveri issued notices to Orissa High Court Bar Association, Orissa BarCouncil and Bar Council of India in a case filed by the High Court Registrar allegingdelay in court proceedings due to protest.
The court now listed the matter to October 21 for further hearing and directed theassociation to submit reply by the next date of hearing.
Earlier, High Court Bar Association had adopted a resolution in a general bodymeeting on October 14, demanding abolition of Collegium system. The members ofassociation resolved to abstain from court work from October 14 after 2 pm toregister their protest against the decision of Supreme Court Collegium as well asHigh Court of Orrisa Collegium.
There should be a nationwide movement against the collegiums system in thecountry, the resolution stressed.
It was also decided that a committee would be instituted on October 15 to spear heada movement in support of association's demands.
"The next course of action will be decided in the next General Body Meetingscheduled to be held at October 16. There will be one day All Odisha strike as well bedecided by the Action Committee. The date will be fixed by the General Body of theHigh Court Bar Association on October 16," the resolution read.
As per the resolution, the association decided that a representation would beaddressed to President of India, Prime Minister of India and Union Minister of Law& Justice in this regard. "A delegation of the High Court Bar Association will callupon the Prime Minister and Union Law Minister," the resolution stated.