Jagannath Sahoo Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Jagannath Sahoo Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

CRLMP disposed of in view of the expectation that the missing woman will be traced within a fortnight; the Petitioner is at liberty to approach the appropriate forum in case of continued inaction of the Police in tracing his wife; urgent certified copy of the order to be granted on proper application.

Issue for consideration

Whether Opposite Parties No. 2 and 3 should be directed to conduct proper investigation and take appropriate actions as per law regarding the Petitioner's missing wife and son. +1 more

Court's answer

In view of the instructions dated 21.01.2026 that the missing woman will be traced within a fortnight, the Court disposed of the CRLMP instead of issuing the sought direction.

Ratio / Principle

The Court found that both the Petitioner and the IIC Ranpur P.S. had been casual and complacent: the Petitioner had not followed up on the fate of the MMR registered one year back, and the IIC Ranpur P.S. had taken no steps on the basis of that report.

Key takeaways

The Court observed, as a passing remark accompanying the disposal, that the wife of the Petitioner should not be compelled to join the company of the Petitioner against her wishes.obiter¶19

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

CRLMP No. 51 of 2026 (High Court of Orissa at Cuttack), Jagannath Sahoo v. State of Odisha, Superintendent of Police, Nayagarh & Inspector-in-charge, Nayagarh P.S. — Order dated 02.02.2026 by Miss Justice Savitri Ratho. The Petitioner sought a direction to Opposite Parties No. 2 and 3 to conduct proper investigation and take appropriate action as per law, his wife having gone missing along with his son in January 2025 with the Police allegedly taking no action. Instructions dated 21.01.2026 of the IIC Ranpur P.S. disclosed that during enquiry it was ascertained the wife left the house towards Chennai, boarded a bus from Balia Chhack, Nayagarh but did not reach Chennai; CDR analysis and IMEI search were underway and she was likely to be traced within a fortnight. Finding both the Petitioner and the IIC Ranpur P.S. casual and complacent — the MMR registered one year back had seen no follow-up by the Petitioner and no steps by the IIC — the Court disposed of the CRLMP, remarked that the wife should not be compelled to rejoin the Petitioner against her wishes, and left the Petitioner free to approach the appropriate forum upon continued police inaction.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

CRLMP No. 51 of 2026

Jagannath Sahoo ….. Petitioner

Mr. S. Sethi, Advocate

-versus-

1. State of Odisha 2. The Superintendent of Police, Nayagarh 3. The Inspector in-charge, Nayagarh Police Station, DistrictNayagarh

….. Opposite Parties Mr. A.K. Apat, AGA

CORAM:

HON’BLE MISS JUSTICE SAVITRI RATHO

ORDER

02.02.2026

Order No. (Through hybrid mode) 01.

The CRLMP has been filed for a direction to the Opposite Parties No.2 and 3 to conduct proper investigation and to take appropriate actions as per law.

It seems that the wife of the Petitioner along with his son is missing in January, 2025 but the Petitioner has approached this Court now stating that the Police is not taking any action to search for them.

The instructions dated 21.01.2026 of the IIC Ranpur P.S. has been received where it is stated that during enquiry, it was ascertained that his wife left his house towards Chennai and boarded the bus to go from Balia Chhack, Nayagarh but did not reach Chennai. The CDR analysis and IMEI search are being asked for towards rescue of the missing woman and from the current CDR and IMEI analysis, it is likely that the missing woman could be traced within a fortnight.

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After hearing learned counsel for the Petitioner, perusing the CRLMP and the instructions dated 21.01.2026, it appears that the Petitioner as well as the IIC Ranpur P.S. have been casual and complacent.

While the Petitioner has not bothered to find out about the fate of the MMR which has been registered one year back, the IIC Ranpur P.S. also has not taken any steps on the basis of the said report.

But in view of the instructions dated 21.01.2026 that the missing woman will be traced within a fortnight, the CRLMP is accordingly disposed of. It goes without saying that the wife of the Petitioner should not be compelled to join the company of the Petitioner, against her wishes.

The Petitioner is at liberty to approach the appropriate forum, in case of continued inaction of the Police in tracing his wife.

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

puspa

Signature Not Verified

Digitally Signed Signed by: PUSPANJALI MOHAPATRA Reason: Authentication Location: Orissa High Court Date: 02-Feb-2026 19:22:38

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