Orissa High Court Bar Association files petition seeking judicial probe in CBI raid issue

The Orissa High Court Bar Association today filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking a judicial inquiry into the recent raid conducted by the CBI at a sitting judge’s residence..In the early hours of yesterday morning, CBI officials attempted to forcefully enter the residence of Justice CR Dash to conduct a raid. It later came to light that the CBI officials intended to raid the residence of former Orissa High Court judge Justice IM Quddusi, but had mistakenly entered the premises of the sitting judge’s house instead..Today, Quddusi and three others were arrested in connection with a corruption case related to opening of medical colleges..Yesterday, the High Court Bar Association resolved to go on strike for a day in protest against the CBI’s actions. In today’s meeting presided over by Senior Advocate and President of the Orissa High Court Bar Association Ashok Parija, the boycott was extended for at least another day..It was also resolved to file a PIL in the High Court, calling for a judicial probe by a sitting judge of the High Court or a retired judge of the High Court or the Supreme Court to look into the matter. It is understood that the PIL has already been filed and will come up for hearing tomorrow..Another meeting will take place at 11:30 AM tomorrow to discuss the future course of action. Bar Associations across the state have been requested to stand in solidarity with the boycott..Meanwhile, the Orissa High Court has also taken suo motu cognizance of the incident. Both these matters will be heard by a Bench of Chief Justice Vineet Saran and Justice BR Sarangi tomorrow..Interestingly, the CBI has told the Delhi High Court that the erroneous raid happened because the address of the judge was not changed on the website of the High Court..Read the resolution passed today:.HT to @arpanigrahi