Pramod Pradhan v. State of Odisha
Case brief
What is this about?
Orissa High Court, Cuttack; Justice B.P. Routray; W.P.(C) No.40443 of 2023; decided 20.8.2024. Land/settlement recording dispute: Assistant Settlement Officer, Rental Colony, Bhubaneswar passed final order recording land in favour of G.A. Department without hearing the petitioner (notice Annexure-5 dated 25.06.2023 for hearing fixed 28.07.2023). Denial of opportunity of hearing / natural justice; impugned order set aside; case remanded for fresh disposal after hearing; no opinion on merits expressed; petitioner to appear 09.09.2024 with certified copy. Useful for: procedural fairness in settlement operations, absence-of-hearing challenges, remand orders.
What did the court decide?
Impugned Assistant Settlement Officer order set aside for want of opportunity of hearing; matter remitted to the Assistant Settlement Officer, Rental Colony, Bhubaneswar - Opposite Party No.5 for fresh disposal after granting due opportunity of hearing; Petitioner directed to appear before the Assistant Settlement Officer on 9th September 2024 with the certified copy of this order; Court expressly expressed no opinion on merits.