IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) No.20608 of 2017 . Duguli Majhi …. Petitioner Mr. A. Mishra, Advocate -versus- Union of India and others …. Opposite Parties Mr. T.K. Dash, A.G.A. for O.P. Nos.2 to 4 Mr. H.S. Panda, C.G.C. for O.P. No.1 CORAM: JUSTICE B. P. ROUTRAY ORDER 25.03.2026 Order No. 04. 1. Heard Mr. A. Mishra, learned counsel for the Petitioner, Mr. T.K. Dash, learned Additional Government Advocate for State- Opposite Parties 2 to 4 and Mr. H.S. Panda, learned C.G.C. for the Opposite Party No.1-Union of India. 2. The Petitioner’s grievance is against grant of freedom fighter award to private Opposite Party No.5 as the legal heir of Saheed Rendo Majhi, a renowned freedom fighter. The Petitioner has prayed as follows:- “It is therefore humbly prayed that let this Hon’ble court may graciously be pleased to admit this writ petition and issue a rule of NISI calling upon the Opp. Parties as to why:- I. Constitute a high power official committee to declare the actual legal heirs of late freedom fighter Saheed Rendo Majhi. II. The award given to the Opp. Party No-5 shall not be withdrawn and shall not be handed over to the petitioner i.e. the actual legal heirs of Saheed Rendo Majhi. Digitally Signed Signed by: BASANTA KUMAR BARIK Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack Date: 25-Mar-2026 17:38:31 Signature Not Verified And may pass any other order/orders/direction/ directions in the interest of justice. And for this act of kindness the Petitioner shall as in duty bound, ever pray.” 3. As seen from the aforesaid prayer made by the Petitioner, the main grievance is disputing the status of Opposite Party No.5 as the legal heir of Saheed Rendo Majhi to receive the award. In other words, the moot question falls for determination is, who is the actual and real legal heir of Rendo Majhi. Of course, this is a question of fact to be decided by the competent authority. 4. At this stage, Mr. Mishra, learned counsel for the Petitioner prays that the Petitioner has all such documents to satisfy the authority that he is the actual legal heir of Renod Majhi and not Opposite Party No.5. It is further submitted that the award has been given to Opposite Party No.5 on the basis of the recommendation made by the Collector, Kalahandi. 5. However, since a recommendation has already been sent, as per the submission of the Petitioner, by the Collector to grant the award to Opposite Party No.5 as the legal heir of Rendo Majhi, it is left open to the Petitioner to question the status of Opposite Party No.5 as such before the appropriate court of law. 6. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of permitting the Petitioner to approach the competent civil court. ( B.P. Routray) Judge B.K. Barik