B. Chandini Reddy Vs State of Odisha

1. The CRLMP has been filed for direction for investigation into the complainant filed by the Petitioner on 27.01.2025 and 25.07.2025 basing upon the Annexure-1 issued by the Colonel Officer Commanding Troops.

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From a perusal of the Annexure-1, it appears that the District Collector, Ganjam and Superintendent of Police, Ganjam had been intimated by the Colonel Officer commanding Troop of

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Def and Emp Coy of HQ. 10 INF Division PIN – 908410 C/O 56 APO that B. Santosh Reddy was absent without leave with effect from 1^st May, 2023 and they had been asked to apprehend him immediately and inform the present Regimental Centre/Unit telegraphically and arrange for his dispatch under police escort to the Regimental Centre/Unit IAFD-910. Copy of the letter had been sent to the Petitioner requesting her to ask her husband to report to the Unit failing which disciplinary action would be taken against him.

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On 16.01.2025, after the Petitioner approached the Lieutenant Colonel, Grenadiers Records, for grant of family pension as her husband was missing since 1^st May, 2023, she was asked to submit the following documents for further processing of the case. (i) to lodge a missing report before the concerned Police Station and obtain the receipt from the Police that his whereabouts has not been traced despite all efforts made by them. (ii) An indemnity bond on judicial Stamp Paper from the nominee that all payments received will be adjusted if the armed forces personally appears and makes any claim.

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Mr. S.J. Mohanty produces the instructions dated 08.01.2026 of the I.I.C., Aska Police Station who has informed that on 04.01.2026, letter had been written to the Commanding Officer, Def. & Emp Coy HQ-10 Inf Division for supply of information regarding service particulars, leave availing and joining of B. Santosh Kumar Reddy. But no information has yet been received. It has also been stated that the Petitioner has not lodged any information at the Aska Police Station on 25.05.2023 regarding missing of her husband and the Petitioner had reported

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she had sent the request letter to the Commanding Officer of her husband for sanction of family maintenance and had been asked to produce missing report of her husband. He has also informed as follows.

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“3 – As ascertained from the Petitioner B. Chandini Reddy, her husband B. Santosh Kumar Reddy was serving under Military Wing bearing Batch No.-3703803 K-NK/CLK(E) under Day 2 EMP. Coy, HQ. 10 INF DIV C/O 56 APO since 1504-2004.

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4 – As ascertained from the Petitioner lady B. Chandini Reddy, her husband B. Santosh Kumar Reddy was last posted at Jammu & Kashmir and during that period she gave birth of a female child namely B. Shree Reddy now aged 12 years. Since her husband did not send any pie for the maintenance of the family, she sold all of her gold and silver ornaments for the maintenance of the family and at last left her in-laws house at VillBahadur Peta under Gopalpur PS Dist. Ganjam and went to her father’s house at village Reddy Damodarplli under Dharakote PS Dist-Ganjam and remained there since 2023. So in view of her miserable condition, the Petitioner lady has sent request letter to the Commanding Officer of her husband to provide Monthly Maintenance.

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5 – As ascertained from the Petitioner her husband was asked to show cause as to why he was not paying money for maintenance of his family.

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6 – No apprehension Roll of Army Personnel in favour of alleged missing Army Personnel B. Santosh Kumar Reddy was received to apprehend him and send him in police escort. Also as per Annexure II the petitioner lady has not lodged any information at Aska P.S. on 25.05.2023. Also it has been mentioned in Annexure II that the Petitioner lady belongs to village Reddy Damodarpalli under Aska P.S. though there is no such village under Aska P.S. and village Reddy Damodarpalli is under Dharakote P.S. Dist. Ganjam.

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7 – Neither the Petitioner has approached nor lodged any written complaint at Aska P.S. for investigation or enquiry on any point. However as told by the Petitioner lady, she has sent request letter to Commanding Officer of her husband for sanction of family maintenance. On which in reply she was asked to produce missing report of her husband.”

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Copy of the instruction dated 08.01.2026 is taken on record. It shall be scanned and incorporated in the digital record.

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It appears that the husband of the Petitioner is missing since May, 2023. Petitioner has not lodged any report regarding missing of her husband in the year 2023 probably due to ignorance. From the documents annexed to the CRLMP as well as the instructions produced by Mr. Sarathi Jyoti Mohanty, learned Additional Standing Counsel, it appears that B. Santosh Reddy, husband of the Petitioner has not reported for service after availing leave in March, 2023 and is missing since 2023. The Petitioner is presently residing with her father under Dharakote Police Station, but B. Santosh Kumar Reddy was residing under Aska Police Station when he went missing. So the Opposite Party No.4 is directed to register a missing report and carry out necessary investigation/enquiry expeditiously and supply the information to the Petitioner so that she can submit the requisite documents for grant of sanction of family pension without further delay.

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Mr. Dillip Kumar Ray, learned counsel for the Petitioner undertakes that the Petitioner will submit a complaint before the I.I.C., Aska Police Station by 28.01.2026 to enable them to

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registered a MMR (man missing report) and proceed for enquiry/investigation forthwith.

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With the said observation, the CRLMP is disposed of.

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Urgent certified copy of this order be granted on proper application.

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(Savitri Ratho) Judge

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Sukanta

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Signature Not Verified

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Digitally Signed Signed by: SUKANTA KUMAR BEHERA Designation: Senior Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: Orissa High Court, Cuttack Date: 18-Jan-2026 20:42:27

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B. Chandini Reddy v. State of Odisha

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

B. Chandini Reddy v. State of Odisha

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Why is it important?

What the court decided

Issues for consideration

Procedural history

Parties & counsel

Coram

Case details

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