WP(C)/13278/2025 of KARUNAKAR RATH Vs ORISSA HIGH COURT, CUTTACK on 15 July 2026

ORDER

1. The petitioner, claims to be a practising advocate having standing at the Bar for more than 29 years of practise in this Court and Supreme Court of India, and finding himself as deserving Advocate for being designated as “Senior Advocate” in terms of the criteria laid down in the Advocates Act, 1961 and the High Court of Orissa (Designation of Senior Advocate) Rules, 2019, submitted an application in the prescribed format in Appendix A, appended to said Rules responding to advertisement published by the Registrar (Judicial) vide No 1 dated 08.05.2024.

2. Name of the petitioner being not placed in the Notification No.143, dated 15.01.2025 issued by this Court, whereunder thirteen contenders were designated as “Senior Advocates”, the writ petition has been filed with the following prayer(s): “Therefore it is prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be graciously pleased to admit the writ application Call for the records, issue rule NISI calling upon opposite parties to show cause as to why the process adopted and attempted by the full court for designation of Senior Advocate and resorting to the vote by secret ballots only shall not be annulled and as to why the petitioner shall not be notified as Senior Advocate because of the valid application with eligibility and assessment as per Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961 and High Court of Orissa (Designation of Senior Advocate) Rules, 2019 read with amendment Rules, 2023 pursuant to the advertisement no 01 dated 08th may, 2024 and settle principle of law decided by the Supreme Court in (2017) 9 SCC Pg. 766 and (2023) 8 SCC 1 failing to show cause showing insufficient cause make the rule absolute and issue the appropriate writ (writs) to declare the petitioner as a Senior Advocate in modifying the notification no. 143 dated 15.01.2025 or by way of separated notification in incorporating the name of the petitioner in the list of designated senior advocates pursuant to the advertisement No.1 dated 08.05.2024 and pass any order(s), direction (s) as may deem fit and proper.”

3. Having argued for some time on 08.07.2026, Sri Karunakar Rath, learned Advocate appearing in-person sought for an accommodation. Accordingly matter stood adjourned and was called for hearing today.

4. When the matter is taken up, Sri Karunakar Rath prayed for permission to withdraw the writ petition and submitted a Memo, contents of this is reproduced hereunder: “The petitioner, Mr. Karunakar Rath wants withdraw this case with a liberty to agitate grievance before the Hon’ble C.J. Orissa High Court, Cuttack if required in future.”

5. Considering the nature of contentions and averments made in the writ petition and recording no objection by the learned Senior Counsel representing the opposite parties, the leave sought for is granted, save and except, the grievance against Notification No.143, dated 15.01.2025 issued by this Court stands closed as withdrawn.

(HARISH TANDON)

CHIEF JUSTICE

(MURAHARI SRI RAMAN)

JUDGE

High Court of Orissa, Cuttack The 15th July, 2026//Aswini Digitally Signed Signed by: ASWINI KUMAR SETHY Designation: Personal Assistant (Secretary in charge) Reason: Authentication Location: ORISSA HIGH COURT, CUTTACK Date: 21-Jul-2026 14:57:26 Signature Not Verified