IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) No. 12024 of 2026 Susanta Kumar Panda …. Petitioner Mr. S.C. Devdash, Advocate -versus- State of Odisha & Ors. …. Opposite Parties Mr. S.P. Das, ASC CORAM: JUSTICE BIRAJA PRASANNA SATAPATHY Order No. ORDER 24.04.2026 01. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual/Physical) Mode. 2. Heard learned counsel appearing for the Parties. 3. Petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition inter alia with the following prayer:- “Under the above circumstances, it is humbly prayed that the writ petition may be allowed; And (A) a writ of Certiorari or an appropriate writ may be issued quashing the Disciplinary Proceeding initiated against the petitioner vide proceeding No.69/2022 dated 28.12.2022 by the Superintendent of Police, Balasore under Annexure: 1 and the petitioner may be exonerated from the charges levelled against him as the preliminary enquiry was held without giving opportunity to the petitioner to participate in the said preliminary enquiry in gross violation of the principles of natural justice and the provisions contained in Appendix:49, Rule 828 of the Odisha Police Manual or in the alternative the Enquiring Officer may be changed and de novo enquiry may be started against the petitioner by giving him opportunity to examine /cross- examine the witnesses, within a time to be stipulated by this Hon'ble Court; (B) And or any other order /orders direction/directions may be issued so as to give complete relief to the petitioner; And for this act of kindness, the petitioner as in the bound shall remain ever pray.” 4. Even though the present Writ Petition has been filed inter alia seeking quashing of the proceeding, but in course of hearing, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner contended that if Petitioner’s grievance so far as change of Enquiry Officer is concerned so made under Annexure-5 on 25.02.2026 will be considered by Opposite Party No.3, Petitioner will have no further grievance. 5. Learned Addl. Standing Counsel for the State has no serious objection to the course of action proposed. 6. Having heard learned counsel appearing for the Parties and considering the submissions made, this Court while disposing the Writ Petition directs Opposite Party No.2 to take a decision on the application made by the Petitioner under Annexure-5 as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of this order. If the enquiry as contended has not yet been completed with submission the enquiry report, for a period of four (4) weeks, no enquiry be held nor report be submitted till consideration of the application with passing of an appropriate order so filed by the Petitioner under Annexure-5 as directed by this Court. 7. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. (Biraja Prasanna Satapathy) Judge Subrat