Trinath Pradhan Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Trinath Pradhan Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Liberty to the Petitioner to make an appropriate application/representation to the concerned authorities with supporting documents within two weeks; the Jurisdictional Authorities to decide and communicate the result within six weeks; consideration to be in light of the coordinate Bench decision in Ashok Kumar Mohapatra; all contentions kept open; no costs.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Petitioner is entitled to RACP/MACP benefit after putting in a particular number of years of service under the extant policy, and whether its non-grant was justified. +1 more

Court's answer

The writ petition is disposed of with liberty reserved to the Petitioner to make an appropriate application to the concerned authorities supported by necessary documents within two weeks; if such representation is made, the Jurisdictional Authorities shall take a decision and inform the Petitioner of the result within an outer limit of six weeks, with all contentions of the parties kept open.

Ratio / Principle

The consideration of the Petitioner's representation shall be in the light of the decision of a coordinate Bench of this Court in Ashok Kumar Mohapatra -vrs. State of Orissa (O.A.No.1668 of 2017, decided 09.10.2018, as confirmed in W.P.(C) No.6698 of 2010 and SLP(C) No.15573 of 2020).

Key takeaways

Opposite Party No.2 is at liberty to solicit any information or documents from the Petitioner required for due consideration of the subject representation, but delay shall not be brooked in that guise.ratio¶22

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ Petition — Non-grant of RACP/MACP benefit — Petitioner alleged denial of Assured Career Progression / MACP benefit despite requisite years of service under the extant policy — Opposite Parties contended, relying on standard treatises, that no mandamus lies absent demand and rejection — Held, disposing of the writ petition without costs: liberty reserved to the Petitioner to move the concerned authorities with an appropriate application supported by documents within two weeks; the Jurisdictional Authorities to take a decision and communicate the result within an outer limit of six weeks; such consideration to be made in the light of the coordinate Bench decision in Ashok Kumar Mohapatra -vrs. State of Orissa (O.A.No.1668 of 2017, decided 09.10.2018, confirmed in W.P.(C) No.6698 of 2010 and further confirmed by the apex Court in SLP(C) No.15573 of 2020); Opposite Party No.2 free to seek information/documents from the Petitioner but without permitting delay; all contentions of the parties kept open.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) No.15065 of 2026

Trinath Pradhan

.....

Petitioner

Represented by Adv. - Ranjit Samal

-versus-

State of Odisha & Ors.

..... Opposite Parties

Represented by Adv. - Mr. A.Mohanty, A.S.C.

CORAM:

THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ADITYA KUMAR MOHAPATRA

ORDER

21.05.2026

Order No.

1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual /Physical Mode).

Heard learned counsels appearing for the parties.

The short grievance of the Petitioner is as to non-granting of RACP/MACP benefit after he has put in a particular number of years of service under the extant policy. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, that benefit ought to have been granted to his client and not giving him is unjustified.

Learned ASC appearing for the O.Ps. submits that there cannot be a Mandamus, unless there is demand and rejection. The Standard Books of law, like the one by Justice B.L. Hansaria’s “Writ Jurisdiction”, echo this.

In the above circumstances, the writ petition is disposed off reserving liberty to the Petitioner to make appropriate application to the concerned authorities, supported by necessary documents

Page 1 of 2.

within two weeks and if such a representation is made, decision shall be taken by the Jurisdictional Authorities and result thereof shall be informed to the petitioner within an outer limit of six weeks. In that connection, all contentions of the parties are kept open. The consideration shall be in the light of the decision of a coordinate Bench of this Court in Ashok Kumar Mohapatra -vrs.State of Orissa (O.A.No.1668 of 2017 disposed of vide judgment dated 09.10.2018 and confirmed by this Court in W.P.(C) No.6698 of 2010 and further confirmed by the apex Court in SLP(C) No.15573 of 2020.

It is open to Opp. Party No.2 to solicit any information or document from the side of the Petitioner, as are required for due consideration of the subject representation; however in that guise, delay shall not be brooked.

Now, no costs.

Web copy of this order to be acted upon by all concerned.

(A.K. Mohapatra) Judge

Rubi

Page 2 of 2.

Signature Not Verified

Digitally Signed Signed by: RUBI BEHERA Reason: Authentication Location: OHC Date: 24-May-2026 15:41:04