Niyati Das vs Dayanidhi Dash
2026 Latest Caselaw 3086 Ori

Orissa High Court

Niyati Das vs Dayanidhi Dash on 31 March, 2026

Author: Chittaranjan Dash

Bench: Chittaranjan Dash

                     IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

                                    CONTR No.37 of 2024

                  Niyati Das                             ....         Petitioner
                                            Mr. Satyajit Mohapatra, Advocate
                                           -versus-
                 Dayanidhi Dash, Inspector-in-
                 Charge, Balasore Sadar PS,              ....       Opp. Party
                 Balasore
                                                   Mr. J. Khandarayray, ASC

                                 CORAM:
                 THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE CHITTARANJAN DASH
                                            ORDER

Order No.                                  31.03.2026
  06.       1.       Heard learned counsel for the parties.

2. Pursuant to the direction issued by this Court vide order dated 13.03.2026, learned Additional Standing Counsel has placed a report of the Superintendent of Police, Balasore, wherein it is disclosed that Inspector Dayanidhi Dash, the then IIC of Sadar P.S., Balasore, who took over investigation of Sadar P.S. Case No.234 dated 27.08.2020 from Inspector Jayanta Kumar Behera on 20.02.2024, continued the investigation. During his incumbency, Inspector Dayanidhi Dash could neither apprehend the accused persons nor completed the investigation.

It further reveals from the report that on 12.02.2026, Inspector Ajay Kumar Murmu, the present IIC of Sadar P.S., took over the charge of investigation of the case from Inspector Salkhan Murmu and subsequently arrested the accused persons, namely Niharkanti Das and Alok Kumar Dwibedi @ Tapi, on 18.02.2026 for offences punishable under Sections 341/ 323/ 294/ 506/ 292/ 354/ 498A/ 420/ 120B/ 354-C/34 IPC read with Sections 66/66- D/66-E/67-A of the IT Act and forwarded them to the Court of the JMFC, City, Balasore on the same day.

It is also reported that pursuant to the order of this Court dated 13.02.2026, an affidavit was filed by the Superintendent of Police, Balasore on 19.02.2026 seeking two weeks' further time for completion of the investigation. However, due to the engagement of the Investigating Officer, Inspector Ajay Kumar Murmu, in important law and order duties relating to investigation of serious crimes, the investigation could not be completed within the stipulated time.

It is further stated that, as per the order of this Court, Inspector Dayanidhi Dash, presently posted at Bhadrak, has been called upon to explain as to why departmental action should not be initiated against him for alleged lapses in investigation, dereliction of duty and non-compliance of judicial orders. Upon receipt of his show-cause explanation, necessary departmental proceedings shall be initiated in accordance with law.

3. In view of the report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Balasore, it appears that the investigation is yet to be completed by submission of the final form, if any. The Superintendent of Police, Balasore, is therefore, directed to submit a further report regarding the status of submission of the final form.

4. List this matter on 10.04.2026.

(Chittaranjan Dash) Judge

Signed by: ANANTA KUMAR PRADHAN Designation: Senior Stenographer

Location: HIGH COURT OF ORISSA Date: 31-Mar-2026 17:33:56