WP(C)/1062/2026 of MOUNE BEWA Vs STATE OF ODISHA on 29 July 2026

ORDER

29.07.2026 (Hybrid mode)

04.

1. Heard Mr. Gopal Chandra Das, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner and Mr. Satyabrata Mohanty, learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for the Opposite Parties.

2. The enhanced amount of compensation awarded by the learned Civil Judge (Senior Division), Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi in L.A.R. No.42 of 2019 vide Judgment dated 06.09.2019 has remained undisbursed since 2019. Taking note of the inordinate delay, this Court, vide orders dated 30.06.2026 and 14.07.2026, directed the Opposite Party

Nos.2 and 3 to file affidavits explaining the reasons for the delay in disbursal of aforesaid enhanced compensation amount awarded by the learned Civil Judge (Senior Division), Bhawanipatna.

3. Pursuant to the orders dated 30.06.2026, a compliance affidavit has been filed on 13.07.2026. In addition thereto, another two compliance affidavits sworn to on 28.07.2026 by the Opposite Party No.2-Ashok Kumar Behera, Director (R&R)-cum-Ex-Officio Special Secretary to Government, Department of Water Resources, Khordha, and the Opposite Party No.3-Chinmaya Kumar Nayak, OAS, Special Land Acquisition Officer, Upper Indravati Irrigation Project, Kalahandi have come to be filed today in court upon service of copy thereof on the counsel for the petitioner.

4. On perusal of the compliance affidavits, this Court finds that the delay in disbursement of the enhanced compensation amount was occasioned on account of procedural formalities and administrative requirements at the Government level. Upon careful consideration of the explanations furnished therein, this Court is satisfied that the delay has been adequately explained. Both the authorities have tendered their unconditional apology, on affidavit, for the delay occasioned in disbursement of the enhanced compensation amount. The materials placed on record indicate that the delay was occasioned on account of procedural and administrative formalities at the Government level and not due to any deliberate lapse, negligence or inaction on the part of Opposite Party Nos.2 and 3 in taking necessary steps for disbursement of the amount awarded by the learned Civil Judge (Senior Division), Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi in L.A.R. No.42 of 2019. The compliance affidavits dated 28.07.2026 filed by Opposite Party Nos.2 and 3 are taken on record.

5. The personal appearance of Opposite Party Nos.2 and 3 are dispensed with.

6. Mr. Satyabrata Mohanty, learned Additional Government Advocate for the State submits that in the meantime, the entire amount of enhanced compensation awarded by the learned Civil Judge (Senior Division), Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi in L.A.R. No.42 of 2019 has been disbursed to the awardees on 27.07.2026 and referring to Annexure-C/3 appended to the compliance affidavit dated 28.07.2026 filed by Opposite Party No.3 he clarified that the Petitioner’s family has already received the enhanced compensation amount. The said fact is fairly conceded by Mr. Gopal Chandra Das, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner.

7. In view of the aforesaid developments, nothing survives for consideration in the present writ petition. The purpose of filing the writ petition has been met, and the grievance of the Petitioner has been redressed by the sanction and disbursement of the amount towards enhanced compensation in favour of the Petitioner’s family in terms of the Judgment dated 06.09.2019 passed by the learned Civil

Judge (Senior Division), Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi in L.A.R. No.42 of 2019. Consequently, the matter no longer survives for further consideration.

8. In view of this, the Writ Petition stands disposed of.

(Manash Ranjan Pathak) Judge

(Murahari Sri Raman) Judge

Ranjeeta Digitally Signed Signed by: RANJEETA SAHOO Reason: Authentication Location: HIGH COURT OF ORISSA Date: 29-Jul-2026 19:25:29 Signature Not Verified