Police-Lawyer Spat: HC orders Crime Branch probe into August 28 incident

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today ordered a Crime Branch probe into the August 28 scuffle between a group of policemen and a lawyer at Nua Bazaar bridge in the city which sparked a widespread concern among the Bar Associaions in the Twin City.

Hearing two petitions filed by Orissa High Court Bar Association and Nationalist Lawyers’ Association in which both the bodies have prayed for a judicial inquiry and stringent action on the accused policemen, the court told CB to make a thorough inquiry into the incident and submit a detailed report.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September 10.

Notably, the Commissionerate Police has suspended all three accused cops of Chauliaganj Police Station involved in the attack identified as Constables BK Samal and UK Bhuyan and Havildar PK Behera.

Yesterday, the Orissa High Court Bar Association had announced to continue with its cease work stir protesting ‘police atrocity’ on lawyers. It said a decision on the next course of action in the case will be taken in a meeting on Wednesday.

On August 30, both the Bar Associations in the Twin City held separate protests against the police excess during which road blockades were also held.

Also Read: Lawyers-cops face-off: Cuttack DCP suspends 3 for police excess