Bhubaneswar, October 1: Hundreds of lawyers from various bar associations in Cuttack, along with members of the Odisha High Court Bar Association, staged a peaceful demonstration in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, demanding the immediate filling of vacant judge posts in the Orissa High Court.

The protest was led by Odisha High Court Bar Association President Lalatendu Samantary and secretary Hrudananda Mohapatra. The lawyers took out a peaceful march from Bhubaneswar Club to Lok Seva Bhawan and later submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through the Governor.

The lawyers expressed concern over the acute shortage of judges in the High Court. Sanjay Kumar Das, Working Secretary of the All Odisha Lawyers Association, said that against the sanctioned strength of 33 judges, only 15 are currently working. Two more judges are scheduled to retire in November, which could further reduce the working strength.

Hrudananda Mohapatra said the shortage of judges was contributing to delays in the disposal of cases and affecting the judicial process.

The memorandum urged the Union Law Ministry to expedite the appointment process based on the recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium and fill all vacant posts at the earliest.

Lalatendu Samantary said more than 1.7 lakh cases are pending before the High Court and claimed that the large number of vacancies is adversely affecting the timely delivery of justice.

Responding to the lawyers' demands, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the vacant posts would be filled soon. He said the Supreme Court Collegium would take a decision on the appointments and appealed to the lawyers to remain patient.