Besi Sanuja Kumar Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Besi Sanuja Kumar Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Procedural disposal only: liberty to the Petitioner to submit a fresh representation before Opposite Party No.1 within three weeks with supporting documents and citations; Opposite Party No.1 directed to take a lawful decision thereon within three months of receipt and to communicate the order to the Petitioner. The substantive sealed-cover promotion claim was not adjudicated by this Court.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner is entitled to have the sealed cover opened and be extended promotion benefits to the post of Deputy Executive Engineer (Civil) from the date his junior (Private Opposite Party No.4) received such promotions as per notifications dated 26.08.2019. +2 more

Ratio / Principle

Taking into account the claim raised in the writ petition, liberty is granted to the Petitioner to make a fresh representation before Opposite Party No.1, enclosing all relevant documents and citations in support of his claim, within a period of three weeks.

Key takeaways

If such representation is filed within the aforesaid time period, Opposite Party No.1 shall take a lawful decision on it within a period of three months from the date of receipt of the representation.ratio¶20
The order so passed by Opposite Party No.1 is to be communicated to the Petitioner.ratio¶20

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

W.P.(C) No.1721 of 2026, High Court of Orissa at Cuttack (single Judge: Biraja Prasanna Satapathy), order dated 19.01.2026. Petitioner Besi Sanuja Kumar (counsel: A.K. Chhatoi) prayed for a writ of mandamus directing Opposite Party No.1 to extend promotion benefits to the post of Deputy Executive Engineer (Civil) by opening the sealed cover from the date his junior (Private Opposite Party No.4) got such promotions as per notifications dated 26.08.2019, and consequential service benefits of promotion to Executive Engineer (Civil) w.e.f. 06.08.2021 and Superintending Engineer (Civil) w.e.f. 15.09.2023, in terms of G.A. Department Office Memorandum dated 01.11.1997 and 04.03.2020 (Annexures 10 & 11). Without adjudicating the claim, the Court disposed of the writ petition: liberty was granted to file a fresh representation before Opposite Party No.1 enclosing relevant documents and citations within three weeks, and Opposite Party No.1 was directed to take a lawful decision thereon within three months of receipt and communicate the order to the Petitioner. Counsel for the Opposite Parties: S. Das, ASC.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

W.P.(C) No.1721 of 2026

Besi Sanuja Kumar

…. Petitioner Mr. A.K. Chhatoi, Advocate

-versus-

State of Odisha & Others …. Opposite Parties Mr. S. Das, ASC

COROM: JUSTICE BIRAJA PRASANNA SATAPATHY

ORDER

Order No

19.01.2026

01. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Mode.

2. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and learned counsel appearing for the Opp. Parties.

3. Petitioner has filed the present writ petition inter alia with the following prayer:-

In view of the facts stated above the Petitioner prays that this Hon'ble Court may graciously be pleased to issue a writ in the nature of writ of Mandamus directing the Opp.Party No.1 to extend the benefits of promotion to the post of Deputy Executive Engineer (Civil) in favour of the petitioner by opening the sealed cover from the date his junior (Private Opp. Party No.4) got such promotions as per notifications dtd.26.08.2019 and to extend consequential service benefits of promotion to the post of Executive Engineer (Civil) & Superintending Engineer (Civil) w.e.f.06.08.2021 and 15.09.2023

// 2 //

respectively in terms of G.A. Department Office Memorandum dtd.01.11.1997 and 04.03.2020 under anneuxre-10 & 11 respectively.

And the Hon'ble Court further be pleased to issue pass any other order/orders as the Hon'ble Court deems fit and proper.

And for this act of kindness the petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray.

4. However, taking into account the claim raised in the present Writ Petition, liberty is granted to the Petitioner to make a fresh representation before Opp. Party No.1 by enclosing all the relevant documents and citations in support of his claim, if any, within a period of three (3) weeks hence.

4.1. It is observed that if such representation is filed within the aforesaid time period, Opp. Party No. 1 shall do well to take a lawful decision on the same within a period of three (3) months from the date of receipt of such representation. The order so passed by Opp. Party No. 1 be communicated to the Petitioner.

4.2. With the aforesaid observation and direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of.

Signature Not Verified

Digitally Signedsangita Signed by: SANGITA PATRA Reason: password Location: authentication of order Date: 20-Jan-2026 12:29:36

(Biraja Prasanna Satapathy) Judge

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