Md. Azhar Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Md. Azhar Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

CRLMP disposed of with directions to opposite party No.3 to examine all connected bank officials and material witnesses and to ensure completion of investigation preferably within three months; copy of the order to be handed to the learned AGA for intimation to opposite party Nos.2 and 3 for early compliance.

Issue for consideration

Whether a direction should issue to opposite party Nos.2 and 3 to take necessary action, conduct a proper investigation and submit the chargesheet, or alternatively whether investigation should be handed over by opposite party No.1 to an independent agency. +1 more

Ratio / Principle

Opposite party No.3 is directed, in particular, to examine all bank officials connected to the case, take necessary action and ensure closure of investigation within a stipulated period, given the delay of nearly two years since the FIR lodged on 13th July, 2024.

Key takeaways

Opposite party No.3 shall take steps to ensure completion of the investigation as soon as possible, preferably within three months, necessarily with examination of all material witnesses including the bank officials against whom the allegations have been made.ratio¶22

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

CRLMP No. 695 of 2026 (High Court of Orissa at Cuttack, R.K. Pattanaik, J.) filed by MD. Azhar seeking a direction to opposite party Nos.2 and 3 to take necessary action, conduct a proper investigation and submit the chargesheet, or alternatively to direct opposite party No.1 to hand over investigation to an independent agency. Noting that the bank officials against whom allegations were made remained unexamined, that no corresponding dates and steps taken during investigation had been made known, and that nearly two years had elapsed since the FIR lodged on 13th July, 2024, the Court directed opposite party No.3 to examine all bank officials connected to the case, take necessary action and ensure closure of investigation, preferably within three months, with examination of all material witnesses including the said bank officials. The CRLMP stood disposed of with these directions, and a copy of the order was directed to be handed to the learned AGA for intimation to opposite party Nos.2 and 3 for early compliance.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

CRLMP No. 695 of 2026

MD. Azhar

…. Petitioner

Mr. S. R. Rout, Advocate

-Versus-

State of Odisha and others

…. Opposite Parties

Ms. B. K. Sahu, AGA

CORAM:

MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK

Order No.

ORDER

27.07.2026

Heard learned counsel for the respective parties.

Instant CRLMP is filed by the petitioner for a direction to opposite party Nos.2 and 3 to take necessary action and for a proper investigation to submit the chargesheet before the concerned court or in the alternative, to direct opposite party No.1 to hand over investigation of the case to an independent agency and for such other orders as deemed just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.

This Court by order dated 29^th June, 2026 considering the instructions of opposite party No.3 had directed the State to submit up-to-date case diary which has been received as informed by Ms. Sahu, learned AGA for the State. It was earlier noticed by this Court that the bank officials against whom the allegations have been made are still to be examined. It was also found that no corresponding dates and steps taken during investigation was made known to the Court. In view of

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the above, recording the submissions of Mr. Rout, learned counsel for the petitioner and State and the order dated 29^th June, 2026 with reference to the written instructions dated 28^th June, 2026 of opposite party No.3, this Court is inclined to direct opposite party No.3 in particular to examine all such bank officials connected to the case and to take necessary action and to ensure closure of investigation within a stipulated period since there has been already delay for nearly two years since the FIR was lodged on 13^th July, 2024.

4. Accordingly, it is ordered.

In the result, the CRLMP stands disposed of with the direction as aforesaid. It is directed that opposite party No.3 shall take steps to ensure the completion of the investigation as soon as possible preferably within a period of three months from today necessarily with examination of all the material witnesses including the bank officials against whom the allegations have been made.

Urgent copy of this order be issued as per rules.

A copy of the order be handed over to Ms. Sahu, learned AGA for the State for its onward intimation to opposite party Nos.2 and 3 for early compliance.

(R.K. Pattanaik)

Judge

Signature Not VerifiedRojina

Digitally Signed Signed by: ROJINA SAHOO Designation: Junior Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: OHC, CTC Date: 29-Jul-2026 13:13:11

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