The crime branch of Odisha police, which was entrusted by the Orissa High Court to investigate into four cases registered in connection with the lawyers and police standoff, began its probe Friday.
A crime branch team went to the house of advocate Devi Prasad Pattnaik and questioned him. Pattnaik was allegedly assaulted by police on August 28 following a series of road accidents involving his car.
Protesting against the police assault on Pattnaik, the lawyers of the city are boycotting the courts and tribunals, including the High Court since August 29.
At least four cases were registered in this connection at different police stations of the city, including a case pertaining to torching of a police vehicle parked in front of the gate of the High Court and another case filed by Pattnaik himself.
Even as the Commissionerate police have suspended three policemen for misconduct, two PILs were filed in the High Court by the lawyers seeking judicial inquiry into the incident.
Adjudicating over a PIL, the High Court earlier this week had directed for crime branch police to investigate into all the cases registered in this connection.
The lawyers are, however, demanding arrest of the erring policemen.
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