Page 1 of 4. IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) No.5774 of 2026 Akshaya Kumar Pradhan & Ors. ..... Petitioners Represented by Adv. - Arnav Behera -versus- State Of Odisha & Ors. ..... Opposite Parties Represented by Adv. – S.Behera, A.G.A. CORAM: THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ADITYA KUMAR MOHAPATRA ORDER 23.02.2026 Order No. 01. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement (Virtual /Physical Mode). 2. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioners as well as learned Additional Government Advocate for the State-Opposite Parties. Perused the writ petition as well as documents annexed thereto. 3. The present writ petition has been filed by the petitioners with the following prayers: “It is therefore most humbly prayed that this Hon'ble Court may graciously be pleased to: a. Allow the present writ petition and issue a writ, order, direction or declaration to the Opposite Party No. 4 to complete the enquiry against the Opposite Party No. 5 pursuant to letter bearing No. 17119 dated 19.12.2025 issued by the Opposite Party No. 3 within a period of four weeks; b. Allow the present writ petition and issue a writ, order, direction or declaration to the Opposite Party No. 4 to Page 2 of 4. grant an opportunity of hearing to the Petitioners in course of enquiry pursuant to letter bearing No. 17119 dated 19.12.2025 issued by the Opposite Party No. 3; c. Allow the present writ petition and issue a writ, order, direction or declaration to the Opposite Party No. 4 to suggest the name of a suitable Principal from nearby 662 Category Higher Secondary School to act as Principal-in- Charge of Panchayat Samiti Higher Secondary School, Bangomunda, District Balangi;, and d. Pass further appropriate order(s) or direction(s) as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the light of facts and circumstances of the case and interest of justice.” 4. Learned counsel for the Petitioners at the outset contended that the Opposite Party No.5, who is discharging her duties as Principal-in-Charge of Panchayat Samiti Higher Secondary School, Bangomunda in the district of Balangir, is due to retire soon. Accordingly, the names of the present Petitioners were recommended by the Sub-Collector, Titlagarh-cum-President G.B., Panchayat Samiti Higher Secondary School, Bangomunda. However, such recommendation was turned down by the Government vide its letter dated 19.12.2025. Further, the Deputy Director, Higher Secondary Education, Government of Odisha has requested the Sub-Collector, Titlagarh-cum-President G.B., Panchayat Samiti Higher Secondary School, Bangomunda to suggest some names who are suitable to be appointed as Principal- in-Charge of the school in question. 5. The grievance of the Petitioners in the present writ application is that although the Opposite Party No.5 is due to retire soon, however, no suitable recommendation has been made for appointment to the post of Principal-in-Charge. Being aggrieved by such conduct of the Opposite Parties, the Petitioners have Page 3 of 4. approached this Court by filing the present writ application. It was also contended that there are several allegations against the Opposite Party No.5. Hence, it was prayed that immediate steps be taken pursuant to Annexure-13 to appoint a Principal-in-Charge of the school in question. 6. Learned counsel for the State on the other hand contended that he has no specific instruction in the matter. However, considering the grievance of the Petitioners as involved in the present writ application, learned counsel for the State contended that he will have no objection if this Court directs the Opposite Party No.4 who is the President G.B., Panchayat Samiti Higher Secondary School to take follow up steps pursuant to letter dated 19.12.2025 at Annexure-13 as per the applicable rules/ notification/ guidelines within a stipulated period of time. 7. Having regard to the submissions made by learned counsels appearing for the respective parties, on a careful examination of the background facts, this Court deems it proper to dispose of the present writ application by granting liberty to the Petitioners to approach the Opposite Party No.4 shall along with a copy of today’s order. In such eventuality, the Opposite Party No.4 shall take necessary follow up steps pursuant to letter dated 19.12.2025 of the Deputy Director, Higher Secondary Education, Government of Odisha, Opposite Party No.3 to the writ application within a period of four weeks from the date of communication of a copy of today’s order. Any decision so taken by the Opposite Party No.3 shall be communicated to the Petitioners within a period of one week from the date of taking such a decision. 8. With the aforesaid observations/ directions, the writ petition Page 4 of 4. is disposed of. Urgent certified copy of this order be granted on proper application. ( A.K. Mohapatra) Judge Anil Designation: Junior Stenographer