p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) NO.1611 OF 2026 Dasamat Marndi and others …. Petitioners Mr. Dhananjaya Mund, Advocate along with Mr. Akansh Acharya, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha and others …. Opp. Parties Mr. Manmaya Kumar Dash, Additional Standing Counsel CORAM: JUSTICE K.R. MOHAPATRA JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR MISHRA ORDER Order No. 31.03.2026 3. 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode. 2. Petitioners in this writ petition pray for the following relief: “It is therefore humbly prayed that this Hon'ble Court may graciously be pleased to admit this Writ Petition, call for the records, issue notice to the Opp.Parties and after hearing the parties, issue appropriate writ(s), Direction(s)by directing the Opp. Parties to conduct free and fair Palli Sabha in presence of a Judicial Officer of the rank of District Judge, scheduled to be held on 22.01.2025 at 1 1 AM at village Anandpur under Purunapani Gram Panchayat of Mayurbhanj District to discuss about alienation of Govt. land (Ac. 335.146) and acquisition of Private land (Ac. 247.950) by for integrated steel plant. And further be pleased to direct the authorities to take all precautionary measure before conducting Palli Sabha/Grama Sabha such as (i) installation of CC TV Camera at meeting place (ii) restrain p. 2 outsiders to participate in the meeting (iii) allow all persons to participate in the meeting who are having Voter/Aadhar Card and even residing in Govt. Land (iv) not to allow police personal inside meeting hall (v) segregate both supporters and opposers at the time of voting and (vi) follow the mandatory provisions of PESA Act, 1996. And any other appropriate order(s)/direction(s) as this Hon'ble Court deems tit and proper; And, for this act of kindness, the petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.” 3. Mr. Mund, learned counsel for the Petitioners submits that the grievances of the Petitioners are regarding convening a Palli Sabha without following due procedure of law. 4. Taking into consideration the grievances of the Petitioners and submissions of the learned counsel for the parties, this Court vide order dated 20th January, 2026 passed certain directions, relevant of which is reproduced hereunder: 6. Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel for the respective parties, this Court directs that let the Palli Sabha in village Anandpur be held on the schedule time, date and place under adequate CCTV surveillance and a report to that effect be submitted by the Collector, Mayurbhanj, Opp. Party No.2 on the next date in a sealed cover. The CCTV footage(s) be preserved to be produced, if directed. The Collector, Mayurbhanj in his report shall also indicate the name of the persons/officials/staff present in the Palli Sabha. It is needless to say that the Pali Sabha shall be conducted following the due procedure of law. 5. It is submitted by Mr. Mund, learned counsel for the Petitioners that the Palli Sabha in village Anandpur under p. 3 Purunapani Gram Panchayat in the district of Mayurbhanj in relation to acquisition of land by IDCO for integrated steel plant by M/s. Rungta Metal Pvt. Ltd.-Opposite Party No.9 has not yet been convened and it has been suspended. He, therefore, submits that whenever a Palli Sabha will be conducted, it should be in compliance with the directions at paragraph No.6 of order dated 20th January, 2026, as quoted above. 6. Mr. Dash, learned Additional Standing Counsel submits that the writ petition may not be maintainable as it is premature. The apprehension of the Petitioners are baseless and based on no material. He, however, does not have any objection to such prayer made by Mr. Mund, learned counsel for the Petitioners. 7. In view of the above, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction that convening a Palli Sabha in village Anandpur under Purunapani Gram Panchayat in the district of Mayurbhanj in relation to acquisition of land by IDCO for integrated steel plant by M/s. Rungta Metal Pvt. Ltd.- Opposite Party No.9 shall be in strict adherence to the procedure of law and in compliance with the directions at paragraph No.6 of order dated 20th January, 2026, as quoted above. (K.R. Mohapatra) Judge (S.K. Mishra) Judge Kanhu Designation: JUNIOR STENOGRAPHER Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack.