Authority: High Court of Odisha, Cuttack

Order Date: 27 October 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Dutiya Kishan (W.P.(C) No.34347 of 2026, CNR No.ODHC010806152026)
  • Opposite Parties: State of Odisha & Ors., including Collector, Sundargarh (Opposite Party No.2) and Vedanta Limited, Jharsuguda (Opposite Party No.4)
  • Counsel: petitioner – Mr. Upendra Kumar Samal, Sr. Adv.; Mr. Nilachal Samal, Adv.; opposite parties – Mr. Debasish Nayak, AGA; Mr. Satya Smruti Mohanty, Adv.; Mr. Sambit Sekhar Moharana, Adv.
  • Nature of Dispute: The petitioner alleges that her family was displaced due to acquisition of land (Khata No.56/96 and Khata No.56/84, Mouza Mendra) for coal mining originally by M/s. Bhushan Limited, later transferred to M/s. Vedanta Limited. She seeks employment or cash in lieu of employment under the Odisha Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2006.
  • Legal Provisions Cited: Section 4(1) read with Section 17(4) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
  • Prior Precedent: In W.P.(C) No.36075 of 2023, a similarly situated petitioner from village Jamkani was directed (order dated 08‑Nov‑2023) to be considered for cash in lieu of employment; the Collector subsequently extended that benefit.
  • Petitioner’s Representation: Submitted on 24‑Feb‑2026 (Annexure‑4) to the Collector, Sundargarh, reiterating the grievance and requesting expeditious disposal in line with the 2023 order.
  • Opposition’s Argument: Counsel for Vedanta Limited (Opposite Party No.4) contended that the petitioner is not similarly situated to the 2023 petitioner and therefore cannot automatically claim the same benefit.

Final Outcome

  • The Court, after hearing counsel, directed the Collector, Sundargarh to:

1. Consider and dispose of the representation dated 24‑Feb‑2026 in accordance with law.

2. Afford an opportunity of hearing to both the petitioner and Vedanta Limited.

3. Take into account Vedanta’s contention that the petitioner is not similarly situated.

4. Issue a reasoned order and communicate the decision to the petitioner.

  • The exercise must be completed within four weeks of the petitioner receiving a certified copy of this order.
  • The writ petition is disposed of.

Topics: Land Acquisition, Resettlement & Rehabilitation, Coal Mining