Page 1 of 3. IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) No. 10933 of 2026 Nishikanta Sahoo ..... Petitioner Mr. S.K. Das, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha & Ors. ..... Opposite Parties Mr. S. Das, ASC CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE BIRAJA PRASANNA SATAPATHY ORDER 20.04.2026 Order No. 01 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode. 2. Heard Mr. S.K. Das, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner and Mr. S. Das, learned Addl. Standing Counsel appearing for the Opp. Parties. 3. The present writ petition has been filed inter alia with the following prayer:- “Under the above circumstances, it is therefore humbly prayed that this Hon'ble Court be graciously be pleased to direct the Opp. Parties to extend the service of the petitioner as that has been done in the case of four other employees equally place under 1Annexure-5 Series and to grant all consequential service and financial benefits; And further the Hon'ble Court be pleased to direct the Opp. Parties to regularise the service of the petitioner as Finance Manager of OTDS, and to grant him all consequential service within a stipulated period as deem fit and proper; Page 2 of 3. And/or pass any other writ/writs, order/orders, direction/directions in the fitness of the case; And for this act of kindness as in duty bound the Petitioner shall ever pray.” 4. It is contended that Petitioner though is continuing w.e.f.2013 with due extension from time to time and the last such extension was made extending his service up to 31.03.2026 vide office order dtd.29.03.2025 vide Annexure-4, but after 31.03.2026 no further extension was given though persons junior to the Petitioner were given such extension till 31.03.2027 vide order dtd.31.03.2026 under Annexure-5 series. 4.1. It is contended that out of the 5 persons who were continuing, 4 of them though were extended with the benefit of extension, but Petitioner has been singled out. It is accordingly contended that because of such illegal action of Opp. Party No. 1, Petitioner is unable to continue beyond 31.03.2026 on the face of continuance of his juniors in terms of the order issued under Annexure-5 series. 5. Mr. S. Das, learned Addl. Standing Counsel on the other hand contended that since Petitioner admittedly is not in employment after 31.03.2026, the writ petition is not maintainable with the prayer as made. 6. Having heard learned counsel appearing for the Parties, considering the submission made and the submission that persons similarly situated and junior to the Petitioners have been given the benefit of extension till 31.03.2027 vide office order dtd.31.03.2026 under Annexure-5 series and Petitioner though is senior to all those persons, he has not been given the benefit of extension beyond 31.03.2026, this Court while disposing the writ petition, permits the Petitioner to Page 3 of 3. make a proper application before Opp. Party No. 2 to get the benefit of extension. 6.1. It is observed that, if any such application will be moved before Opp. Party No. 2 within a period of two (2) weeks hence, the said Opp. Party shall do well to take a lawful decision on the same within a further period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of such application. 7. The writ petition accordingly stands disposed of. (BIRAJA PRASANNA SATAPATHY) Judge Sneha