Orissa High Court
Jitendra Nath Pattnaik vs Government Of India …. Opp. Party on 27 April, 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK
CRLMC No. 2994 of 2015
Jitendra Nath Pattnaik .... Petitioner
Mr. Umesh Chandra Pattnaik, Advocate
-versus-
Government of India .... Opp. Party
Mr. Dipti Ranjan Bhokta, CGC
on behalf of Mr. Karunakar Nayak,
Senior Panel Counsel
CORAM:
HON'BLE MISS JUSTICE SAVITRI RATHO
ORDER
Order No. 27.04.2026
(Through hybrid Mode)
23. 1. The CRLMC has been filed challenging the order dated
25.02.2013 passed by the learned S.D.J.M., Boani in 2(c) C.C.
No. 25 of 2013 taking cognizance of offence punishable under
Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. Mr. Umesh Chandra Pattnaik, learned counsel for the
Petitioner submits that during pendency of this CRLMC,
pursuant to judgment dated 02.08.2017 passed by the Supreme
Court in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 114 of 2014 (Common cause
and others vs. Union of India) and order dated 24.07.2018
passed in I.A. No. 86784 of 2018, the Petitioner was allowed to
resume mining operation within the non-forest land and approved
forest area in respect of Bhanjapali Iron Mines over 18.00
hectares under Koira Circle in Sundargarh district and permitted
to comply the condition mentioned in Sl. No.(a) as laid down
Page 1 of 2
vide Proceeding No. 1811 / SM, dated 13.03.2018 of Steel and
Mines Department, Government of Odisha. Pursuant to Order
No. 3516 / Miens, dated 26.07.2018 of the Deputy Director of
Mines, Koira. The Petitioner has deposited an amount of
Rs.123,87,49,199/- towards compensation under Section 21(5) of
the MMDR Act along with applicable interest of
Rs.3,14,63,641/- and he has filed an affidavit dated 30.08.2022
which is at Flag-B enclosing certain documents. Copy of the
same has been served on learned counsel appearing of the
Opposite Party. He submits that in view of this development, this
is an additional ground for quashing the proceedings against the
Petitioner.
3. Mr. Dipti Ranjan Bhokta, learned Central Government
Counsel submits that the case has been assigned to Mr.
Karunakar Nayak, learned Senior Panel Counsel for the Opposite
Party, who has some personal difficulty today, for which he has
not come to Court, so a short adjournment may be granted.
4. Considering the said submission, list this case on
11.05.2026.
5. Counter affidavit / objection, if any, in response to the
additional affidavit of the Petitioner shall be filed in the
meanwhile after serving copy on learned counsel for the
Petitioner.
6. Interim order passed earlier shall continue till 18.05.2026.
(Savitri Ratho)
Judge
Sukanta
Signature Not Verified
Digitally Signed
Signed by: SUKANTA KUMAR BEHERA
Designation: Senior Stenographer
Reason: Authentication Page 2 of 2
Location: Orissa High Court, Cuttack
Date: 27-Apr-2026 21:25:29