Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Against Designation Of Senior Advocates By Orissa High Court

The Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice U.U. Lalit and Justice Ravindra Bhat on Friday dismissed a petition filed against the decision of the Orissa High Court to designate Senior Advocates.

At the outset, the petition stated that the permanent Committee made by the High Court of Orissa was biased and improperly constituted. Further, it was alleged some of the designated advocates had a practice of less than 20 years and were awarded higher marks than candidates having 20 years or more of experience. This showed bias and irrational favouring of some candidates.  

The bench dismissed the petition stating that the details of all persons, including those who were not recommended by the Permanent Committee for the designation of senior advocates were placed before the full court and the petition was incorrect on that aspect. The court opined that–

"One of the basic grievances in this petition pertains to the recommendations made by the permanent committee with regards to designation of advocates practicing in Orissa HC. After having considered the names of concerned advocates, the permanent committee recommended some but did not find 40 persons worthy to be recommended for senior advocates. It is submitted that the details of these 40 advocates ought to have been placed before the full court. Final call was to be taken by the full court which requirement wasn't fulfilled. Learned advocate appearing for the Orissa HC has invited attention to affidavit which categorically asserted that the names of all persons including those who were not recommended to be designated were all considered by the full court before final resolution was adopted. In these circumstances, we see no reason to entertain this Writ Petition."

Accordingly, the Writ Petition was dismissed.

Case : Patitapaban Panda v. Orissa High Court & Ors. | WP (C) No. 390 /2022

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