p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) NO.21649 OF 2025 Rabi Narayan Mandal …. Petitioner Mr. Pravat Ranjan Sutar, Advocate -versus- Commissioner of Hindu Religious Endowments, Odisha, Bhubaneswar and others …. Opp. Parties Ms. Pratyusha Naidu, Advocate (For Commissioner of Endowments) CORAM: JUSTICE K.R. MOHAPATRA JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR MISHRA ORDER Order No. 20.01.2026 04. 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode. 2. Petitioner in this writ application prays for a direction to the Additional Assistant Commissioner of Endowments, Cuttack Circle(Opposite Party No.2), to take proper steps for appointment of an interim trustee till appointment of a Non-Hereditary Trust Board of the Deity Sri Sri Raghunath Jew Bije Kental under Nischantkoili Police Station, in the district of Cuttack, and to take steps for appointment of a new Trust Board at an early date. 3. It is submitted by Mr. Sutar, learned counsel for the petitioner, that the term of the erstwhile NHT Board expired on 16.08.2025. There is no one to look after the management of the Deity. Thus, there is apprehension of mismanagement and misappropriation of funds and misutilisation of religious endowments. Hence, finding no other alternative, this writ application has been filed for the aforesaid relief. 4. Taking into consideration the case of the petitioner, this Court, vide order dated 08.08.2025, directed Ms. Naidu, learned p. 2 counsel representing the Additional Assistant Commissioner of Endowments, Cuttack to take instruction in the matter. On 1st September, 2025, Ms. Naidu, learned counsel, on instruction, submitted that the process for appointment of NHT Board has already been initiated by the Additional Assistant Commissioner of Endowments, Cuttack for smooth management of the religious institution. The term of the erstwhile NHT Board was extended for two months with effect from 06.08.2025. Thus, the matter was adjourned to be listed on 10th November, 2025, when Ms. Naidu, learned counsel, on instruction, submits that notice inviting objection for appointment of NHT Board for the religious institution-Sri Raghunath Jew bije Kentalo, P.O..Asureswar, District Cuttack has already been issued on 31st October, 2025. It was also submitted by her that the petitioner, if so wishes, may file objection pursuant to the notice dated 31st October, 2025. 5. Mr. Sutar, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that objections/suggestions to the notice dated 31st October, 2025 has already been filed since 18.11.2025. Ms. Naidu, learned counsel, on instruction, submits that the proposal for appointment of NHT Board, along with objections have been submitted to the Government on 03.01.2026, which is pending for consideration. 6. In view of the above, this Court feels that early steps should be taken for approval of the proposal submitted by the Additional Assistant Commissioner of Endowments for appointment of NHT Board in respect of religious institution-Sri Sri Raghunath Jew Bije Kentalo. 7. Accordingly, it is directed that the State Government shall do well to take steps on the proposal for appointment of NHT Board submitted by the Additional Assistant Commissioner of Endowments as expeditiously as possible, within a period of one month from today. p. 3 8. Mr. Dash, learned AGA shall communicate this order to the State Government forthwith. 9. Mr. Sutar, learned counsel for the petitioner, also undertakes to produce a certified copy of this order before the State Government at an early date. Expecting that a decision on the proposal submitted for appointment of NHT Board for the religious institution - Sri Sri Raghunath Jew Bije Kental, will be taken expeditiously, this Court directs the Commissioner of Endowments, Odisha, Bhubaneswar to take steps for appointment of an interim trustee, if the same is required, for smooth management and administration of the religious institution and its endowments. 10. The writ petition is disposed of accordingly. 11. Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules. (K.R. Mohapatra) Judge (S.K. Mishra) Judge Mona