Manoj Kumar Panda ..... Election vs K. Anil Kumar
2026 Latest Caselaw 1627 Ori

Orissa High Court

Manoj Kumar Panda ..... Election vs K. Anil Kumar on 20 February, 2026

Author: Sashikanta Mishra

Bench: Sashikanta Mishra

                 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

                             ELPET No.19 of 2024

       Manoj Kumar Panda                     .....             Election Petitioner
                                                        Represented by
                                                        Mr.Gopal Kumar Agarwal,
                                                        Sr. Advocate with
                                                        Ms.S. Srivastava, Advocate
                                     -versus-
        K. Anil Kumar                       .....                     Respondent
                                                        Represented by
                                                        Mr. S.P.Mishra,
                                                        Sr. Advocate
                                                        Mr. B. Bhuyan,
                                                        Senior Advocate with
                                                        Mr. S. Mohanty, Advocate
                                                        Mr. A. Satpathy, Advocate
                              CORAM:
            THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SASHIKANTA MISHRA

                                      ORDER

Order No.                            20.02.2026.
                          I.A. No.                   of 2026

 54.        1.      This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.

2. This application under Order 18, Rule 3A of C.P.C. has been filed by the Respondent seeking permission to examine other witnesses ahead of the Respondent himself. The I.A. be registered. Copy of the I.A. has been served on Ms. S. Srivastava, learned counsel appearing for the Election Petitioner.

3. Mr. Satapathy submits that as the Respondent is pre- occupied with the Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly,

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he is unable to attend this Court and therefore, in order to save time, he wants to examine the other witnesses.

4. Mr. Agarwal, learned Senior counsel for the Election Petitioner opposes the application by submitting that the Respondent should appear to defend his case rather than depending on other witness.

5. Considering the submissions, this Court is inclined to allow the application. The Respondent is permitted to examine the other witnesses.

6. The I.A. is disposed of.

(Sashikanta Mishra) Judge

55. 1. Evidence Affidavit of Madimi Sekhar, witness for the Respondent is filed in Court. The same be kept on record. He is called upon to depose. He is further examined-in-chief as RW-1 and cross-examined in part.

2. Further cross-examination is deferred for want of time.

3. List this matter on 11th March, 2026.

(Sashikanta Mishra) Judge

AKB/A.K. Rana

Location: HIGH COURT OF ORISSA, CUTTACK