M/S.Himmat Self Help Group, Bhadrak Vs State of Odisha — Writ and Judicial Review | Orissa HC (2026)

M/S.Himmat Self Help Group, Bhadrak Vs State of Odisha — Writ and Judicial Review | Orissa HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Writ petition disposed of finally with a direction to the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak (O.P. No.2) to dispose of the petitioner's show cause reply dated 06.02.2026 as per law with opportunity of being heard, within 15 days of filing of the certified copy of the judgment, and to intimate the result to the petitioner (SHG); urgent certified copy ordered to be granted during the course of the day.

Issue for consideration

Whether the writ petition seeking quashing of Annexures-7, 8 & 9 (interim arrangement of the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak suspending the petitioner SHG's distribution of THR and ATHR under SNP & MSPY) is premature at this stage, given that the petitioner's show cause reply to Annexure-6 dated 06.02.2026 is pending consideration before the Collector and District Magistrate, and whether the merits/demerits of suspension and non-renewal of the engagement should be examined now.

Court's answer

Since the matter relating to the allegations in Annexure-6 against the petitioner (SHG) is pending consideration before the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak, and the petitioner's show cause reply dated 06.02.2026 has been submitted, the question of considering the merit and demerit of suspension and non-renewal of the petitioner's engagement does not arise; the writ petition is premature at this stage.

Ratio / Principle

For final disposal of the writ petition, the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak (O.P. No.2) is directed to dispose of the petitioner's show cause reply dated 06.02.2026 as per law, giving opportunity of being heard to the petitioner and others concerned, expeditiously within 15 days from the date of filing of the certified copy of this judgment, and to intimate the result of the disposal to the petitioner (SHG).

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ Petition (Civil) disposed of as premature - M/s. Himmat Self Help Group had sought quashing of Annexures-7, 8 & 9 whereby the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak made an interim arrangement for distribution of THR and ATHR under SNP & MSPY suspending distribution by the petitioner SHG; however, the petitioner's show cause reply to the Annexure-6 allegation notice, filed on 06.02.2026, remained pending before the Collector. Holding that the merit and demerit of suspension and non-renewal of the SHG's engagement did not arise for consideration at this juncture, the High Court (Justice A.C. Behera) declared the petition premature and, for its final disposal, directed the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak to dispose of the show cause dated 06.02.2026 as per law with opportunity of being heard, expeditiously within 15 days of filing the certified copy of the judgment, and to intimate the result to the petitioner.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) No.3827 of 2026

(An application under Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, 1950)

M/s. Himmat Self Help Group

…. Petitioner

-versus-

State of Odisha and Ors.

…. Opposite Parties

Appeared in this case by Hybrid Arrangement

(Virtual/Physical Mode):

For Petitioner - Amitav Das, Advocate.

For Opposite Parties - Mr. Gyanaloka Mohanty, Sanding Counsel

Mr.B. N. Bhuyan, Sr.Advocate. (for O.P. No.5)

CORAM:

HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE A.C.BEHERA

Date of Hearing :12.03.2026 :: Date of Judgment :12.03.2026

A.C. Behera, J . This writ petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of

India, 1950 has been filed by the petitioner (SHG) praying for quashing Annexures-7, 8 & 9 issued by the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak (O.P. No.2) relating to an interim arrangement made by the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak (O.P. No.2) for the distribution of THR and ATHR under SNP & MSPY suspending the distribution of the same by the petitioner (SHG).

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2 . Heard from the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned senior

counsel for O.P. No.5 and learned SC for the State.

3 . As per the submissions of the learned counsels of both the sides, the petitioner (SHG) was engaged for distribution of THR and ATHR under SNP & MSPY up to 31^st December 2025. Thereafter, notice to show cause vide Annexure-6 was issued by the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak (O.P. No.2) directing the petitioner for submission of show cause in order to answer the allegation alleged under Annexure-6.

To which, the petitioner challenged by filing this writ petition on dated 02.02.2026.

After filing this writ petition, the petitioner (SHG) submitted its show cause reply to the Annexure-6 on dated 06.02.2026 and the said show cause reply on the basis of Annexure-6 is pending before the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak (O.P. No.2) for consideration.

4 . When, the matter relating to the allegation alleged in Annexure-6 against the petitioner (SHG) is pending for consideration before the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak (O.P. No.2) and when after filing of the writ petition, the petitioner (SHG) submitted its reply to the show cause on dated 06.02.2026, then at this juncture, in this writ petition, the question of considering the merit and demerit of suspension and nonrenewal of the engagement of the petitioner (SHG) does not arise. For which, this writ petition filed by the petitioner (SHG) is pre-matured at this stage.

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5 . After taking the submissions of learned counsels of both the sides and

the observations made above, it is felt proper for the final disposal of the writ petition directing the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak (O.P. No.2) to dispose of the show cause dated 06.02.2026 of the petitioner (SHG) as per law after giving opportunity of being heard to the petitioner and others, if any, as expeditiously as possible within a period of 15 days from the date of filing of the certified copy of this judgment by the petitioner (SHG) before the Collector and District Magistrate, Bhadrak (O.P. No.2) and to intimate the result of the disposal of the show cause to the petitioner (SHG).

6 . As such, this writ petition filed by the petitioner is disposed of finally.

7 . Urgent certified copy of this judgment be granted to the petitioner on proper application during the course of the day.

(A.C. Behera), Judge

Orissa High Court, Cuttack The 12^th of March, 2026/ Utkalika Nayak, Jr. Steno

Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: UTKALIKA NAYAK Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack Date: 12-Mar-2026 16:32:51

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