On December 14, a division bench comprised of Justices SK Kaul and AS Oka expressed displeasure with the unruly agitation carried out by lawyers in Odisha's Samblapur seeking a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court in the district. The court further stated that any hope of establishing a bench had been dashed as a result of the lawyers' conduct. "There is no hope for formation of a bench. Even if there was some possibility, that is lost now with their conduct." The Court also noted that the police authorities failed to carry out their duty to maintain law and order and asked why lawyers were being molly-coddled.

The bench observed in the order that "We have little doubt that this is abject failure of police. They IGP and DGP have assured us that what has happened will not happen again and they take personal responsibility that complete peace is maintained".

Since September 28, the Court has been hearing an application concerning the protests by lawyers in the state.

The Court noted on Wednesday that the issue of establishing regional High Court benches may have become somewhat obsolete in light of the measures taken to incorporate technology into the judicial process. The Court also strongly condemned the striking lawyers' attempt to intimidate the State's Advocate General and members of the National and State Bar Councils.

It was reported that some senior Bar Council of India (BCI) officials were under threat. As a result, concerned police authorities were asked to provide adequate security. However, the Court did not rule on the case and stated that it would continue to monitor the status of the investigation and action against the erring member of the bar.