Suryamani Majhi v. Iswar Pradhan, Sr Mining Officer, Nayagarh
Case brief
What is this about?
Contempt proceedings dropped — CONTC No.1303 of 2026, High Court of Orissa at Cuttack, coram Dr. Justice Sanjeeb K Panigrahi, order dt. 24.03.2026. Contemnor/Opposite Party: Iswar Pradhan, Sr. Mining Officer, Nayagarh (counsel: Raj Bhusan Dash, ASC); Petitioner: Suryamani Majhi (counsel: Braja Mohan Sarangi, Adv.). Basis: written instruction dt. 24.03.2026 of the Mining Officer-cum-Competent Authority recording non-compliance with High Court order dt. 08.01.2026, non-submission of requisite documents, unrealised demand of Rs.4,46,380/- for illegal extraction and transport of minor minerals (letter no.46/Mines dt. 16.01.2026), and continued withholding of the petitioner's vehicle. Holding: no case of contempt made out; proceedings dropped; CONTC disposed. Directives: petitioner to submit documents within one week and deposit assessed dues; authority thereafter to expedite vehicle release in accordance with law. Keywords: CONTC, contempt dropped, minor mineral, illegal extraction, vehicle release, Nayagarh Mining Officer, non-compliance.