Ratikanta Biswal vs State Of Odisha & Others
2022 Latest Caselaw 883 Ori

                   IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

                               W.P. (C) No. 2862 of 2022

            Ratikanta Biswal                     ....                 Petitioner
                                                  Mr. P.K. Mohapatra, Advocate
                                            - Versus -
            State of Odisha & Others            ....             Opposite Parties

                                                                  State Counsel

                        CORAM:
                         DR. JUSTICE B.R. SARANGI

ORDER_ 01.02.2022

Order No. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.

01.

2. Heard Mr. P.K. Mohapatra, learned counsel for the petitioner.

3. The petitioner has been engaged as Driver on ad hoc basis in the office of the Block Development Officer, Basudevpur w.e.f. 23.08.2003 against a vacant regular post for 44 days basis pursuant to letter dated 13.11.2003 vide Annexure-1, which has been extended from time to time. It is contended that the petitioner is still continuing in service. The petitioner had earlier approached this Court by filing W.P.(C) No. 30583 of 2020 for regularization of service, which was disposed of on 17.11.2020 directing for regularization of service of the petitioner, but the same was rejected vide order dated 23.06.2021.

4. In view of the above, the case of the petitioner is covered by judgment dated 09.09.2021 passed in W.P.(C) No. 19951 of 2020. Accordingly, the order dated 23.06.2021 in Annexure-8 is

hereby quashed. The opposite parties are directed to regularize the services of the petitioner and grant all consequential service and financial benefits in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of two months from the date of communication of this order.

5. As the restrictions due to resurgence of COVID-19 situation are continuing, learned counsel for the parties may utilize a print out of the order available in the High Court's website, at par with certified copy, subject to attestation by the concerned advocate, in the manner prescribed, vide Court's Notice No.4587 dated 25th March, 2020, as modified by Court's notice no. 4798 dated 15th April, 2021, and Court's Office Order circulated vide Memo Nos.514 and 515 dated 7th January, 2022.

(Dr. B.R. Sarangi) Judge Alok