Disposed¶39

Prakash Agarwal v. State of Odisha

Orissa HC8 Apr 2026WP(C)/33992/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Odisha HC 08.04.2026, WP(C) 33992/2025, Prakash Agarwal v. State of Odisha; judicial review of administrative delay in revenue appellate disposal; Sub-Collector, Panposh directed to decide Revenue Appeal No.65 of 1971 (pending 55+ years) by August 2026; request for six-month extension on workload/SIR-2026 grounds rejected; no statute or precedent cited; writ disposed with hearing opportunity mandated.

What did the court decide?

Direction to the Sub-Collector, Panposh (Opposite Party No.3) to dispose of Revenue Appeal No.65 of 1971 by end of August, 2026, with opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned; the learned Additional Standing Counsel to communicate the order to the Sub-Collector forthwith. ¶39

Prakash Agarwal Vs State of Odisha — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

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WP(C) NO.33992 OF 2025

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Prakash Agarwal

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…. Petitioner

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Mr. Soumya Ranjan Mohanty, Advocate

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-versus-

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State of Odisha & others

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…. Opp. Parties

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Mr. Swayambhu Mishra, Additional Standing Counsel

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CORAM:

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JUSTICE K.R. MOHAPATRA JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR MISHRA

ORDER

08.04.2026

Order No.

This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.

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The writ petition has been filed with the following

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prayers:-

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“ PRAYER

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It is therefore prayed that this Hon'ble Court may graciously be pleased to ;

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(i) Admit this Writ Petition;

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(ii) Issue Notice to the Opp. Parties and call for the

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relevant records;

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(iii) Issue appropriate writ/writs, direction/directions, again directing the Opp. Party No.3/SubCollector, Panposh, to show cause as to why appropriate action shall not be instituted for violating the orders of this Hon'ble Court.

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(iv) Further be pleased to direct the Opp. Party no.3/ Sub-Collector, Panposh, to complete the Revenue Appeal No.65 of 1971 within a period of three months in the interest of justice and equity;

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(v) Pass any such other order/orders, direction/ directions as this Hon'ble Court thinks fit;”

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Taking note of the innocuous nature of the prayer made,

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this Court vide order dated 16^th January, 2026 directed to take instruction in the matter.

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Page 1 of 3

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Pursuant to the order dated 16^th January, 2026, the SubCollector, Panposh imparted written instruction to the Office of the learned Advocate General vide letter No.1255/Judl. dated 19^th February, 2026. The extracts of the relevant portion of the said communication are reproduced hereunder:-

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“Sir ,

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In inviting reference to the letter on the subject cited above, it is brought to your kind notice that, the undersigned has been designated as Sub Collector, Panposh with additional assignment of OSD (LR) Panposh and Chairman, Regulatory Market Committee, Panposh. As Rourkela Steel Plant is a part of Panposh Sub Division and other ancillary Industrial units also developed, law and order situation is frequently arise and timely control of it is another part of the job of the undersigned. Besides, pre activities of Special Intensive Revision, 2026 is going on since more than last 6 months, the undersigned is busy with the aforesaid assignments.

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Further, it is worthy to mention here that, the undersigned is also busy in streamlining of the Revenue administration as Sub Divisional Revenue head within the jurisdiction of Panposh Sub Division. As there are multifarious assignments and the present appeal is a year old case, sufficient time is required to be given to go through the case record for its disposal.

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In this connection, it is submitted that the Hon’ble High Court may be pleased to allow minimum further 6 months for disposal of the present appeal. Enclosure:- As above

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The reasons assigned by the Sub-Collector, Panposh (Opposite Party No.3) in disposing of the Revenue Appeal No.65 of 1971 are not acceptable. Along with other duties and responsibilities assigned, the Sub-Collector, Panposh is equally responsible to dispose of the age old revenue appeal pending since more than last 55 years i.e. Revenue Appeal No.65 of 1971.

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Page 2 of 3

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On perusal of the written instruction, it is apparent that there is no legal impediment in disposing of the Revenue Appeal No.65 of 1971.

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Hence, it is directed that the Sub-Collector, Panposh shall dispose of the Revenue Appeal No.65 of 1971 by end of August, 2026, providing opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned.

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The writ petition is disposed of accordingly.

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Mr. Mishra, learned Additional Standing Counsel shall communicate this order to the Sub-Collector, Panposh forthwith.

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

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(K.R. Mohapatra) Judge

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(S.K. Mishra)

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Prasant

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Judge

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Signature Not Verified

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Digitally Signed Signed by: PRASANT KUMAR PRADHAN Designation: Secretary Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack. Date: 09-Apr-2026 10:08:29

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Page 3 of 3

Prakash Agarwal v. State of Odisha

Case brief

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Prakash Agarwal v. State of Odisha

Case brief

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