Lokuram Majhi v. State of Odisha

Orissa HC22 Oct 2025WP(C)/29502/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Direction for immediate Sarpanch by-election; vacancy caused by death of Ex-Sarpanch Smt. Gangeswari Sinha (July 2025); Amanara Gram Panchayat; Section 16 Odisha Grama Panchayats Act, 1964; Rules 84 and 85 GP (Election) Rules; delay in holding by-election; representation Annexure-1 dated 22.09.2025; two-week compliance timeline; opposite party No.2; W.P.(C) No.29502 of 2025; High Court of Orissa at Cuttack; R.K. Pattanaik, J.; order dated 22.10.2025.

What did the court decide?

Direction to opposite party No.2 to hold the election to the post of Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat in question as soon as possible, initiating the exercise within two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order, in view of the petitioner's representation dated 22 September 2025. ¶¶20

Lokuram Majhi Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2025) — LawSathi Research

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

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W.P.(C) No.29502 of 2025

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Lokuram Majhi …. Petitioner

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Mr. S.K. Sarangi, Sr. Advocate

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-Versus-

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State of Orissa and others

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…. Opposite Parties

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Mr. S.K. Swain, AGA

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CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK

ORDER

Order No.

22.10.2025

1. Heard Mr. Sarangi, learned Senior Advocate for the petitioner and Mr. Swain, learned counsel for the State.

¶14

Instant writ petition is filed by the petitioner for a direction to the opposite parties to fill up the vacancy to the post of Sarpanch, Amanara Gram Panchayat created on account of death of the Ex-Sarpanch, namely, Smt. Gangeswari Sinha.

¶15

Referring to Section 16 of the Odisha Grama Panchayats Act, 1964 and Rules 84 and 85 of the GP (Election) Rules, it is submitted by Mr. Sarangi, learned Senior Advocate appearing for the petitioner that the vacancy arising out of the death of the Ex-Sarpanch should have been filled up soon after by an election, an exercise, which has not been undertaken by opposite party No.2, hence, therefore, a direction is required to be issued in that regard.

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Page 1 of 2

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Recorded the submission of Mr. Swain, learned AGA for the State, according to whom, the representation of the petitioner and others at Annexure-1 was received recently. In reply, Mr. Sarangi, learned Senior Advocate would submit that the Ex-Sarpanch expired in the month of July, 2025, hence, there has been delay in holding the by-election.

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Considering the facts pleaded on record and submission as above, the Court is of the view that the election to the post of Sarpanch of the GP in question should be held immediately in compliance of Section 16 of the Act and Rules framed thereunder without further delay.

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Hence, it is ordered.

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In the result, the writ petition stands disposed of with the direction as aforesaid to be complied with by opposite party No.2 as soon as possible initiating an exercise within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order in view of the representation received from the petitioner on 22^nd September, 2025 with regard to holding the election to the post of Sarpanch of the GP in question.

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Urgent copy of this order be issued as per rules.

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Signature Not Verified

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Rojina

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(R. K. Pattanaik) Judge

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Digitally Signed Signed by: ROJINA SAHOO Designation: Junior Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: OHC, CTC Date: 23-Oct-2025 11:06:13

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Page 2 of 2

Lokuram Majhi v. State of Odisha

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Lokuram Majhi v. State of Odisha

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Why is it important?

What the court decided

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