Arguments end before cop-magistrate assault panel

-
Rourkela: The Justice A S Naidu Commission of Inquiry, probing into the police-magistrate scuffle in Rourkela on April 2, 2011, today completed the probe after hearing arguments from all the concerned parties.

“Arguments are closed and the Commission shall submit its report to the Government in due course,” said Justice Naidu after holding 42nd sitting of the commission at Cuttack.

The Commission had begun its probe in July 2011 holding its first sitting on August 20 last year.

A total of 44 persons, including judicial and police officers had submitted affidavits and statements before the Commission. Barring one witness, all others appeared in person before the Commission to depose and face cross-examinations.

It may be recalled here that Panposh Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Arun Kumar Patnaik was allegedly assaulted by Uditnagar IIC Sadananda Pujari on the night of April 2, 2011 which evoked a state-wide protest by the lawyers, including that of the High Court in Cuttack thereby paralyzing judicial activities in the State for over a week.

While two FIRs were filed in Uditnagar police station here against the concerned IIC and the Judicial Magistrate, a PIL was filed in the High Court.

Later, a worried State Government had immediately announced a judicial commission of inquiry after suspending the IIC and asking the then Rourkela SP Diptesh Patnaik to go on leave.

Subsequently, the retired High Court judge Justice Naidu was appointed to conduct a judicial probe into the matter asking the Commission to submit its report after analyzing the sequence of events and circumstances leading to the police-magistrate brawl.

The Commission was also asked to enquire into the role, conduct and responsibility of the persons involved in the unpleasant incident.

Although, several pleas were made by the judicial fraternity later to extend the jurisdiction of the Judicial Commission and probe into the highhandedness of Rourkela police, the same was turned down by the State Government summarily. Even the Odisha High Court also had refused to intervene with regard to the extension of the Commission’s jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the Rourkela Bar Association (RBA), in a petitison to the Justice Naidu Commission on Friday, has decided to withdraw its affidavit.

President of RBA Ramesh Chandra Bal said that the Association had earlier sought permission of the Commission to withdraw from participating in the proceedings of the panel alleging that State Government had no trust on the findings of the Commission since it had, in the meantime, promoted the then Rourkela SP Diptesh Patnaik to the rank of DIG who was asked to go on leave soon after the incident.

Stating that the Naidu Commission had its last hearing today, Bal said that the RBA has decided to protest against the promotion of Patnaik till the availability of Naidu Commission’s findings. 
  

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Photos that speak ‘in defence of civilization’

-
Image
Rourkela: ‘A picture says a thousand words’ is an adage that aptly describes photographs by  A N Maniyappan, which were on display at 8 th National Conference of Steel Worker’s Federation of India (SWFI) at Bhanja Bhawan. The 68-year old man from Ernakulam district of Kerela, exhibited his rare photographs and collected ones on the theme ‘In defence of Civilization’. The exhibition featured 400 collections of photographs on a wide range of subjects. The subjects of these photographs are about martyrs’ column, civilization, humanity, golden era of movements, loot of national property, historic moments, anti-communalism, capitalism, imperialism, industrial revolution, trade unionism, and movement against liberalism and steel workers’ movement. The photo exhibition attracted thousands of people in and around the city. “The younger generation learns a lot from this photography and get to understand what had happened in the past,” said a spectator H S Mishra. “Th
Read more

Prithvi-II test fired successfully

-
Image
Rourkela: India today successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile with a strike range of 350 km from a test range at Chandipur near Balasore. The surface-to-surface missile was test fired from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of Integrated Test Range at about 9:21 AM, defence sources said. The launch of the sophisticated missile, conducted as part of operational exercise by the Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the defence services, was successful, they said. “The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the total launch activities were carried out by the specially formed SFC and monitored by the scientists of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of practice drill,” sources said. The Prithvi-II missile, developed by the DRDO, is already inducted into the Indian Armed forces. Prithvi, the first missile developed under India’s prestigious Integrate
Read more

Santhali writer nominated for Sahitya Academy award

-
Rourkela: Gangadhar Hansda, a banker and litterateur has been nominated for the prestigious ‘Kendriya Sahitya Academy Award’ for the year 2012 for his collection of short stories in Santhali language, ‘Banchaw Akan Gojhona’. Hansda, an eminent Santhali writer and Santhali culture activist, has devoted himself to the popularization of Santhali literature and culture after retiring as a Branch Manager from Union Bank of India. His contribution to Santhali literature includes short stories, essays, history, one act play and novels. He has published eight books till date. He has also translated several books from Santhali to Odia and the famous ‘Chhamana Atha Guntha’ by Fakirmohan Senapati from Odia to Santhali.  He has co-authored a history and an essay book with his eminent writer wife Damayanti Besra who has already been honored with Kendriya Sahitya Academy award in 2009. Hansda is an active contributor to various journals and magazines on Santhali culture. He has won A
Read more