CM Mohan Charan Majhi clarifies position on High Court bench, promises review

Bhubaneswar, Sept 3: Following a controversial statement on the need for a High Court bench, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi clarified on Tuesday that the issue is under review and affirmed the BJP government's commitment to ensuring prompt justice.

The clarification came after BJD MLA Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo from Balangir raised concerns in the state Assembly about setting up a High Court bench within a specific timeframe. Singh Deo emphasized the need for a clear assurance regarding whether a circuit or permanent bench will be established in Balangir and when.

On Monday, Majhi had stated that there was no current need for a new Orissa High Court bench, referencing a Supreme Court observation that the demand for additional benches had diminished over time with advancements in technology. This statement had led to protests by lawyers in Sambalpur.

Singh Deo criticized the CM's remarks, arguing that the Supreme Court's observations were made in the context of a lawyer's strike, not a verdict on the necessity of additional benches. He stressed that technology cannot replace the need for physical benches, and Balangir has historical precedence for such a facility.

Ashok Das, convener of the Kendriya Kriyanusthan Committee, welcomed the reconsideration but called for an investigation into misinformation that influenced the CM's initial stance.

BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra also voiced concerns, questioning why Odisha cannot have a High Court bench when other states, including Uttar Pradesh, have multiple benches.