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Senior Journalists Association, Odisha (Sjao), Jagatsinghpur v. Hemanta Sharma,Additional Chief Secretary,Information Public Relations Dept,Bhubaneswar,Khurdha

Orissa HC23 Jun 2026CONTC/1189/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Senior journalists pension Odisha; CONTC No.1189 of 2026; arises from order dated 30.04.2025 in W.P.(C) No.9991 of 2025; SJAO vs Hemanta Sharma ACS Information Public Relations Department; State granted three months per Government order dated 02.08.2025; contempt disposed of being dropped; liberty for fresh contempt on inordinate delay.

What did the court decide?

Three months' time granted to the State to take appropriate decisions on pension for senior journalists; contempt dropped; liberty to approach the Court afresh with fresh contempt in case of inordinate delay. ¶22

Senior Journalists Association, Odisha (Sjao), Jagatsinghpur Vs Hemanta Sharma,Additional Chief Secretary,Information Public Relations Dept,Bhubaneswar,Khurdha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK CONTC No.1189 of 2026

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Senior Journalist's

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Senior Journalist's ...… Petitioner(s) Association,Odisha(SJAO) Ms. Pratyusha Naidu, Advocate

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-Versus-

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Hemanta Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Information Public Relations Department & Anr.

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……. Opposite Party (s) Mr. Sonak Mishra, ASC

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CORAM:

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DR. JUSTICE SANJEEB K PANIGRAHI ORDER

Order No.

23.06.2026

03.

1. This matter is taken up through hybrid arrangement.

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2. This CONTC arises out of the order dated 30.04.2025 passed

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by this Court in W.P.(C) No.9991 of 2025.

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3. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and learned counsel for the Opposite Party/Contemnor.

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4. Since the matter pertains to the decision of the Government and the matter is in active consideration, considering the sensitivity and the aspirations of the journalism community, learned counsel for the State seeks three months minimum time to

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take appropriate decisions for bringing all the Senior Journalists of

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Signature Not Verified the State in the pension scheme.

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Digitally Signed Signed by: GITANJALI NAYAK Reason: Authentication Location: OHC Date: 24-Jun-2026 15:28:51

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5. In view of the assurance given by the learned counsel for the State, as per the order dated 02.08.2025 issued by the Government of Odisha, Information and Public Relations Department, this Court grants three months time to the learned counsel for the State in order to enable the State Government to take appropriate decisions for granting pension to the senior journalists considering the overall administrative, resource feasibility and other factors governing the issue.

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6. In view of the above, the CONTC is, accordingly, disposed of being dropped.

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7. However, the Petitioner is granted liberty to approach this Court with fresh contempt if the same is delayed inordinately.

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