'Ruthless Criminal Also Entitled To Life Of Dignity': Orissa HC Commutes Death Sentence Awarded To 9 Persons For Witchcraft Triple Murder

The Orissa High Court on Wednesday (January 15) commuted the death sentence awarded to nine persons by the Sessions Judge, Rayagada for committing murder of three members of a family in 2016, suspecting their involvement in witchcraft.While lessening the sentence to imprisonment till the end of natural life, the Division Bench of Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Radha Krishna Pattanaik...

Right To Trade Not Absolute: Orissa High Court Declines To Relax Minimum Qualifications For Konark Temple Tourist Guides' Licenses

The Orissa High Court on Monday declined to grant relief to a number of photographers/guides working in the precincts of Konark Sun Temple who challenged a new policy requiring minimum qualification of matriculation for grant of license to operate in the premises of the world-renowned historical monument. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and...

Compounding Of Offences Allowed Under IT Act, HC's Inherent Jurisdiction U/S 482 CrPC Cannot Be Invoked For Quashing: Orissa HC

The Orissa High Court has refused to entertain a petition filed for quashing the offence under Sections 276(B) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, stating that the Petitioner-accused should have sought compounding of the offence. Justice Sibo Sankar Mishra observed, “In the present regime, where the compounding of the offence is permissible, the jurisdiction of this Court under...

Centre For Judicial Archives At High Court Of Orissa Inaugurated

On 11th January, 2025 inauguration of the Centre for Judicial Archives was held under the aegis of the High Court of Orissa.The Centre was inaugurated by Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha in presence of Shri Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of Orissa, Shri Prithiviraj Harichandan, Minister, Law, Government of Odisha, the Companion Judges of the...

Orissa HC Initiates Contempt Action Against Ex-Constable & His Advocate For Questioning Impartiality Of Judges In Full Bench

The Orissa High Court on Wednesday initiated action for criminal contempt against an ex-constable and his Advocate for casting aspersions on impartiality of two Judges sitting on a Full Bench.The Full Bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh, Justice Savitri Ratho and Justice Sibo Sankar Mishra found the preliminary objection of the respondent to be prima facie contemptuous and...

'Unbecoming Of Law Student': Orissa High Court Quashes Ragging Case Against Law Students On Condition Of Teaching At Orphanage

The Orissa High Court on Wednesday (January 8) quashed an FIR and criminal proceedings against some law students of a private Law University of Bhubaneswar, who were accused of ragging a first-year law student and threatening him of dire consequences. Justice Sibo Sankar Mishra agreed to quash the FIR on the basis of a mutual settlement arrived in between the accused-students and the father...

S.13B Hindu Marriage Act | Consent For Divorce Can Be Unilaterally Withdrawn By A Party Even After Conclusion Of Arguments: Orissa HC

The Orissa High Court has recently held that consent for divorce can be unilaterally withdrawn by a spouse anytime before the passing of decree granting divorce on the basis of mutual consent, even after conclusion of arguments.Reiterating the significance of 'mutual consent' of spouses for grant of divorce under Section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act, the Single Bench of Justice...

Orissa High Court Orders Release Of Singaporean Cargo Vessel A Day After Its Arrest At Paradip Port

The Orissa High Court has ordered release of Singaporean cargo ship 'MV Propel Fortune (IMO 9500699)' a day after its arrest it at the Paradip Port for non-payment of dues against supply of necessaries. The Court agreed to release the vessel after it offered to draw a demand draft of Rs.15,56,100/- in favour of the Registrar (Judicial) of the Court.The matter was initially mentioned on...

Suppression Of Pending Criminal Cases Raises Concerns About Candidate's Integrity: Orissa HC Upholds Cancellation Of Employee's Appointment

The Orissa High Court has held that notwithstanding the result, suppression of pending criminal cases per se raises concerns about a candidate's integrity and after withholding such vital information, a person cannot claim an unfettered right to seek appointment.While denying relief to the petitioner aggrieved of cancellation of his candidature, Dr. Justice Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi held...

Install CCTV Cameras In All Police Stations By March 31, Strictly Follow SOP On Dealing With Members Of Armed Forces: Orissa HC Tells Police

The Orissa High Court, while dealing with a suo moto PIL, has recently ordered the Government and the police authorities to install CCTV cameras in all police stations as well as police outposts across the State by the end of March, 2025. After perusing the status report submitted by a senior police officer, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Savitri...

Orissa HC Orders Release Of Benefits With Arrears To 100-Yr-Old Freedom Fighter Denied Pension For Lack Of Incarceration Proof

In a notable order, the Orissa High Court has come to the relief of a centenarian freedom fighter who was denied pension and other benefits by the State and Union Governments for want of proof of his incarceration during the struggle for freedom, as per the existing rules.While highlighting the noble objects with which the pension schemes have been framed, Justice Sashikanta Mishra in his...

'Shocked & Deeply Pained': Orissa High Court Summons Health Secretary Over Encroachment, Mismanagement At Paediatric Hospital

The Orissa High Court has expressed shock over the 'distressing condition' in which the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (Sishu Bhawan) is functioning and has asked the Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare of the State Government to personally appear to address the issue.Upon being informed about the pathetic condition of the premiere...