Authority: High Court of Odisha at Cuttack

Order Date: 20.08.2026

Case Overview

  • Writ Petition (W.P.) No.21501 of 2026, CNR No. ODHC010501142026 filed by Smt. Chanchala Behera, represented by Advocate Mr. Himansu Sekhar Deo, against Odisha Information Commission, Bhubaneswar and other respondents (including Mr. Smrutiranjan Dash and Addl. Standing Counsel Mr. Suryakanta Parhi).
  • Petitioner sought admission of the writ, issuance of Rule NISI, and a writ of certiorari to set aside the impugned order dated 06.05.2026 (Annexure 11 in Second Appeal No.77/2024) and to direct respondents to supply documents.
  • The petitioner relied on a letter dated 20.12.2023 issued by the Superintending Engineer and 1st Appellate Authority, Sonepur (R & B) Division, instructing her to attend the Office of the Superintending Engineer between 02.01.2024 and 04.01.2024 (11.00 A.M. to 1.00 P.M.). The letter was received on 06.01.2024, preventing timely attendance.
  • The petitioner requested permission to appear on 19.09.2026, 25.09.2026 or 26.09.2026 and sought directions for the authority to facilitate her appearance on any of those dates.
  • Respondent No.1 (Odisha Information Commission) was represented by Mr. Smrutiranjan Dash; Respondents No.2‑6 were represented by Mr. Suryakanta Parhi, who raised no objection to the petitioner’s submissions.

Court Findings & Directions

  • The Court noted that the petitioner had been given an opportunity to verify the cash book, pay particulars and original pay documents of her husband (retired on 30.04.2023) as per the 20.12.2023 letter, but could not comply due to the delay in receipt of the letter.
  • By consent of the Additional Standing Counsel, the Court directed the petitioner to appear before the Office of the Superintending Engineer, Sonepur (R&B) Division on any one of the dates: 19.09.2026, 25.09.2026 or 26.09.2026, for compliance with the 20.12.2023 letter.
  • On the petitioner’s appearance on any of the aforesaid dates, the authority shall facilitate inspection of the documents/records referred to in Letter No.6973 dated 20.12.2023 (Annexure‑8).
  • Since the parties have conceded the position and there remains nothing further to decide, the Court deemed it unnecessary to keep the writ petition pending.

Final Outcome

  • The writ petition stands disposed of.

Topics: Court Order, Document Inspection, Petition Disposal