: Expressing grave concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Odisha, particularly in urban areas, a Vacation Bench of Orissa High Court on Thursday ordered the State government to form a high-level committee under the Chief Secretary to constantly monitor and periodically review the situation in order to instil confidence among the panic-stricken common people.
The Bench of Justices B P Ray and Biswanath Rath came down heavily on the State police for their callous and insipid attitude.
The High Court's ire came while adjudicating over a PIL filed by social activist Chittaranjan Mohanty, who in his petition has detailed recent crimes in Odisha, including the daring robbery in the house of a retired judge of the High Court here and several incidences of crime in Cuttack city.
The petitioner has attributed the recent incidents to a complete “breakdown of policing in the State” and sought proper and thorough investigations either by the CBI or by any other independent agency into the May 30 robbery case in the house of Justice (retd) P K Mohanty.
Armed dacoits had decamped with unsubstantial amounts of cash and jewellery after tying up 70-year-old Mohanty and his family members.
