Bhubaneswar: Twelve lawyers have been arrested after they allegedly vandalised the court premises during their strike over the long-standing demand for a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court at Sambalpur.
The incident occurred on Monday when the striking lawyers ransacked the Sambalpur court premises damaging computers, VC facilities, etc.
After watching videos of the vandalism, the Supreme Court ordered the Odisha government and the State Police to take stringent action against the lawyers. The apex court has also directed both DGP and IGP to appear via video conference on Wednesday to explain what steps have been taken by them against the protesting lawyers.
The Bar Council of India has also suspended the licenses of 29 agitating lawyers of the Sambalpur District Bar Association. Meanwhile, Section 144 of CrPC has been clamped at Kacheri Chhak, the protest site.
Sambalpur SP Battula Gangadhar said that others involved in the incident will be arrested after examining footage from the CCTV cameras.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had specifically warned the protesting lawyers to get back to work or face contempt action and suspension of license.
