Kuni Naik v. State of Odisha
Case brief
What is this about?
Keywords: termination of Self-Employed Mechanic; Sarpanch/Sarapanch jurisdiction; stigmatic termination order; unauthorized absence; insubordination; Annexure-3 order dated 13.11.2023; representation to Executive Engineer RWSS Delanga; Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department; vindictive termination over legitimate dues; delay and maintainability of W.P.(C). Outcome: petition disposed (neither quashed nor reinstatement ordered); no monetary quantum involved. Bench: Justice V. Narasingh, single judge, order dated 29.01.2026. Relevant to queries on termination of panchayat/RWSS mechanics by Sarpanch without authority, stigma-based terminations remedied via fresh representation, and disposal of service writs pending administrative reconsideration.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition disposed of with liberty to the Petitioner to file a representation to Opposite Party No.3 (Executive Engineer, RWS Sub-Division, Delanga) within four weeks, inter alia raising the lack of authority of Opposite Party No.4 over the termination order dated 13.11.2023; Opposite Party No.3 to consider it expeditiously with empathy preferably within four weeks of receipt.