Even as several bar associations of western Odisha continue to agitate demanding establishment of a High Court Bench in the region, the State Government has transferred all the pending cases in the local courts to neighbouring courts for speedy settlement.

Earlier on December 6, the Supreme Court had asked the Orissa High Court to identify courts in adjacent districts where persons can seek redressal of their grievances and create concurrent jurisdiction for the cases.

The apex court had also directed to transfer adequate number of officials from the non-working districts to the working districts for the purpose.

In compliance with the direction of the apex court, the High Court on January 13 had conferred concurrent jurisdiction on the courts in adjacent districts.

Based on the advice of the HC, the Law Department issued the notification to ensure speedy trial of the cases.

As per the notification, the cases under Balangir judgeship have been transferred to Titilagarh Additional District and Session Judge Court. The cases of Balangir Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) and Loisingha Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) courts have been shifted to the Saintala JMFC Court.

The pending cases of Deogarh and Jharsuguda judgeship have been given to Keonjhar and Sundargarh courts, respectively.

Besides, the pending cases in various courts of Sambalpur would be heard in Bargarh courts.

Earlier in January, the Odisha State Bar Council had written a letter to the Bar Council of India (BCI) seeking action against various lawyers associations protesting for establishment of an Orissa High Court bench in western Odisha.