Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

2025 Supreme(SC) 1033

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
J.K. Maheshwari, Aravind Kumar, JJ.
State of Odisha & Ors. – Appellants
Versus
Jita Luha – Respondent
Civil Appeal No. 5842 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 28521 of 2023) With, Civil Appeal No. 5843 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 28514/2023 , Civil Appeal No. 5844 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 1741 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5845 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 3805 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5846 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 1195 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5847 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2601 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5848 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2246 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5849 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2340 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5850 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2185 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5851 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2171 of 2024 , Civil Appeal No. 5852 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2291 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5853 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2297 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5854 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2201 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5855 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2170 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5856 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2206 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5857 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2416 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5858 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2308 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5859 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2189 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5860 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2422 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5861 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 784 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5862 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2105 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5863 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 1052 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5864 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 1024 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5865 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 1448 of 2024 , Civil Appeal No. 5866 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2149 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5867 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2061 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5868 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2016 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5869 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 1891 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5870 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2700 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5871 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP(C) No. 2781 of 2024, Civil Appeal No. 5872 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 2779 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5873 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6041 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5874 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 1742 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5875 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 2782 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5876 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6042 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5877 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6043 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5878 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3806 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5879 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6044 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 5880 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6045 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5881 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3803 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5882 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6046 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5883 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3807 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5884 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4819 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5885 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6047 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5886 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3808 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5887 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 2709 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5888 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3804 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5889 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6048 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5890 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4821 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5891 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4815 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5892 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4816 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5893 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6049 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 5894 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3811 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5895 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4817 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5896 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3809 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5897 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4818 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5898 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4983 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5899 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 1441 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5900 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 2382 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5901 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3170 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5902 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6150 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5903 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4660 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5904 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4984 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5905 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4985 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5906 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3810 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5907 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3813 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 5908 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4828 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5909 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4658 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5910 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4822 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5911 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4659 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5912 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4661 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5913 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3836 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5914 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4982 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5915 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4673 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5916 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4986 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5917 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4979 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5918 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4657 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5919 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4987 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5920 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4663 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5921 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4988 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 5922 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4974 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5923 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4973 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5924 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4976 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5925 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4823 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5926 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6152 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5927 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6154 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5928 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4989 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5929 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4990 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5930 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4991 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5931 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4981 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5932 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4977 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5933 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6280 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5934 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4664 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5935 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4831 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 5936 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4992 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5937 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4993 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5938 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4665 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5939 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4814 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5940 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4994 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5941 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4995 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5942 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4666 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5943 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4667 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5944 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6279 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5945 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4824 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5946 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4829 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5947 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4668 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5948 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4669 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5949 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6281 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 5950 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6153 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5951 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4832 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5952 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6151 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5953 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8715 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5954 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8716 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5955 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4996 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5956 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9673 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5957 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4997 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5958 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4670 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5959 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4672 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5960 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4978 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5961 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4671 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5962 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4975 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5963 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9674 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 5964 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8714 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5965 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4998 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5966 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 4999 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5967 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8720 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5968 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12993 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5969 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7908 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5970 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6155 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5971 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7910 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5972 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 16072 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5973 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7911 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5974 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6283 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5975 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8466 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5976 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6149 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5977 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7912 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 5978 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9279 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5979 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18142 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5980 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6282 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5981 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7887 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5982 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7883 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5983 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6374 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5984 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7881 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5985 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19772 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5986 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7884 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5987 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7882 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5988 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7482 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5989 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8469 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5990 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8472 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5991 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8471 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 5992 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7913 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5993 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7885 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5994 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7886 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5995 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12994 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5996 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6240 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5997 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 6372 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5998 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8467 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 5999 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7479 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6000 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7909 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6001 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8470 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6002 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7480 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6003 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9278 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6004 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9821 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6005 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 7115 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 6006 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18517 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6007 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8476 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6008 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8468 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6009 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18518 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6010 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8473 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6011 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9514 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6012 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9389 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6013 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18512 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6014 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12882 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6015 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18515 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6016 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 11012 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6017 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 11013 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6018 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9823 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6019 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9513 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 6020 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9515 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6021 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9007 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6022 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8447 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6023 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9826 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6024 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9268 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6025 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 11686 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6026 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12039 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6027 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9822 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6028 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17981 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6029 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9824 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6030 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9269 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6031 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 13111 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6032 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 11010 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6033 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18020 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 6034 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9825 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6035 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 11684 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6036 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18093 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6037 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 11688 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6038 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 11011 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6039 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 11685 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6040 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18040 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6041 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 10322 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6042 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17953 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6043 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18079 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6044 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 11288 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6045 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 10736 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6046 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17728 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6047 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17723 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 6048 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17730 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6049 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17729 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6050 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17724 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6051 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17716 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6052 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17719 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6053 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17725 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6054 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12478 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6055 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17726 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6056 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17722 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6057 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18385 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6058 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19828 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6059 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19185 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6060 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19844 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6061 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18505 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 6062 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18504 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6063 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19826 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6064 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19128 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6065 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18114 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6066 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 13823 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6067 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17718 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6068 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17717 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6069 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17720 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6070 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17721 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6071 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18086 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6072 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 13513 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6073 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18088 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6074 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17727 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6075 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19812 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 6076 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19811 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6077 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19806 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6078 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19807 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6079 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19837 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6080 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19119 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6081 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19839 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6082 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19094 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6083 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19813 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6084 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19838 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6085 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19802 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6086 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19814 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6087 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18912 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6088 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17831 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6089 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 16195 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 6090 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17828 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6091 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19374 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6092 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 14447 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6093 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 16252 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6094 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17832 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6095 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19373 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6096 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18421 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6097 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18907 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6098 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18939 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6099 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19130 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6100 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 17282 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6101 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 18834 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6102 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19405 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6103 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19402 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 6104 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19403 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6105 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19816 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6106 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19815 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6107 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19818 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6108 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19817 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6109 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19819 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6110 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19896 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6111 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19897 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6112 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 19898 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6113 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No.12697 of 2025) (D No(s). 6420/2024), Civil Appeal No. 6114 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No.12698 of 2025) (D No(s). 15055 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6115 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No.12699 of 2025) (D No(s). 17878 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6116 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12204 of 2024) , Civil Appeal No. 6117 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12700 of 2025) (D No(s). 23106 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6118 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12701 of 2025) (D No(s). 24122 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6119 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12702 of 2025) (D No(s). 24433 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6120 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12703 of 2025) (D No(s). 26868 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6121 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12704 of 2025) (D No(s). 34933 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6122 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12177 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6123 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12705 of 2025) (D No(s). 29961 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6124 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12706 of 2025) (D No(s). 40195 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6125 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12707 of 2025) (D No(s). 40735 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6126 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12708 of 2025) (D No(s). 26664 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6127 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12709 of 2025) (D No(s). 30724 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6128 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12710 of 2025) (D No(s). 20401 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6129 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12711 of 2025) (D No(s). 24304 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6130 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12712 of 2025) (D No(s). 25401 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6131 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12713 of 2025) (D No(s). 20721 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6132 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12714 of 2025) (D No(s). 23128 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6133 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12715 of 2025) (D No(s). 25183 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6134 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 24414 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6135 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 24403 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6136 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 24413 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6137 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 23697 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6138 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3646 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6139 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 10809/2025 , Civil Appeal No. 6140 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 10808/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6141 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 25573 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6142 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12716 of 2025) (D No(s). 40799 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6143 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 10705/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6144 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 26524 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6145 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 26523 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6146 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 26522 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6147 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 27383 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6148 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 27385 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6149 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 27769 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6150 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12717 of 2025) (D No(s). 45079 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6151 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12718 of 2025) (D No(s). 45103 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6152 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12719 of 2025) (D No(s). 49911 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6153 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 10704/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6154 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12720 of 2025) (D No(s). 49468 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6155 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12721 of 2025) (D No(s). 48673 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6156 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 30614 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6157 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 30966 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6158 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 31114 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6159 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 31119 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6160 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 861/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6161 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 908/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6162 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12722 of 2025) (D No(s). 26743 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6163 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 994/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6164 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12723 of 2025) (D No(s). 30373 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6165 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 993/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6166 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3100/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6167 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12724 of 2025) (D No(s). 51888 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6168 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12725 of 2025) (D No(s). 5363/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6169 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9886/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6170 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 9896/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6171 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 8881/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6172 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12726 of 2025) (D No(s). 36796 of 2024), Civil Appeal No. 6173 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12727 of 2025) (D No(s). 11074/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6174 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 10418/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6175 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 11109/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6176 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 11110/2025, Civil Appeal No. 6177 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 12728 of 2025) (D No(s). 16381/2025
Decided On : 02-05-2025

Advocates appeared:
For the Petitioner(s):Mr. Som Raj Choudhury, AOR Mr. Prakash Ranjan Nayak, AOR Mr. Pitambar Acharya, Adv. General Mr. Dhananjaya Mishra, AOR Mr. Navneet Dogra, Adv. Mr. Pitambar Acharya, Advocate General Mr. Rohit Amit Sthalekar, AOR Mr. Purnendu Bajpai, Adv. Mr. Shashank Singh, Adv. Mr. Suvendu Suvasis Dash, AOR Mr. Niranjan Sahu, AOR Ms. Shivangi Gupta, Adv. Ms. Mallika Yadav, Adv. Mr. Shovan Mishra, AOR Ms. Bipasa Tripathy, Adv. Mr. Kiran Kumar Patra, AOR Mr. Naveen Kumar, AOR Mr. Subhasish Mohanty, AOR Mr. Milind Kumar, AOR Mr. Pitambar Acharya, Adv. General Mr. Shubhranshu Padhi, AOR Mr. Jay Nirupam, Adv. Mr. D. Girish Kumar, Adv. Mr. Pranav Giri, Adv. Mr. Ekansh Sisodia, Adv. Mr. Pitambar Acharya, Adv.General Mr. Ankit Agarwal, AOR Mr. Koustubh Desai, Adv. Mr. Pitambara Acharaya Ag, Sr. Adv. Mr. Pitambara Acharya, Sr. Adv. Mr. Ramendra Mohan Patnaik, AOR Mr. Debabarta Dash, Adv. Mr. Debabrata Dash, Adv. Ms. Apoorva Sharma, Adv. Mr. Jogy Scaria, AOR Mr. Pitamber Acharya, Advocate General Mr. Joby P. Varghese, AOR Mr. Hitendra Nath Rath, AOR Mr. Pitambar Acharya, Advocate General Mr. Anjuman Tripathy, AOR Mr. Chandra Vardhan Singh, Adv. Ms. Sharmila Upadhyay, AOR Mr. Srisatya Mohanty , AOR Ms. Samapika Biswal, AOR Mr. Gaurav Khanna, AOR Mr. Prasenjeet Mohapatra, AOR
For the Respondent(s): Ms. Babita Khushwaha, Adv. Ms. Vernika Tomar, AOR Mr. Ajay Vikram Singh, AOR Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, AOR Mr. A.k.de, Adv. Mrs. Ananya De, Adv. Mr. Pramit Saxena, AOR Ms. Chandni Sharma, Adv. Mr. Rabin Majumder, AOR Mr. Hitendra Nath Rath, AOR Ms. Deepanwita Priyanka, AOR Mr. Aldanish Rein, AOR Mr. Dipak Kumar Jena, AOR Mr. Prasanna Kumar Parhi, Adv. Mr. Pramod Kumar, Adv. Ms. Smita Kumari, Adv. Mr. Pradeep Kumar Verma, Adv. Mr. Raj Shekhar Jena, Adv. Mr. Sandip Munian, Adv. Mr. Ashutosh Singhdeo, Adv. Mr. Kush Chaturvedi, AOR Ms. Harshita Choubey, Adv. Mr. Siddhartha Iyer, AOR Ms. Diksha Rai, AOR Ms. Purvat Wali, Adv. Mr. Piyush Vyas, Adv. Ms. Atiga Singh, Adv. Mr. Ashok Kumar Panda, Sr. Adv. Mr. Shashwat Panda, Adv. Mr. Manoranjan Paikaray, AOR Mr. Devendra Singh Kushwaha, Adv. Mr. Praveen Agrawal, AOR Mr. Nagarkatti Kartik Uday, AOR Mr. Anshuman Siddharth Nayak, AOR Mr. Devesh Pratap Singh, Adv. Mr. Rahul Kulhare, Adv. Mr. Krishna Mourya, Adv. Ms. Mahika Malik, Adv. Ms. Mohini Priya, AOR Mr. Chandra Bhushan Prasad, AOR Mr. Udayaditya Banerjee, AOR Mr. S. K. Verma, AOR Mr. Arindam Mukherjee, Adv. Ms. Gargi Tuli, Adv. Mr. Janmejay Verma, Adv. Ms. Ananya Verma, Adv. Mr. Abhishek Kumar, Adv. Mr. Shishir Pinaki, AOR Ms. Vandana Kaushal, AOR Mr. Suchit Mohanty, Adv. Mr. Samarth Mohanty, Adv. Mr. Vishal Arun, AOR Mr. Kedar Nath Tripathy, AOR Mr. Aditya Narayan Tripathy, Adv. Ms. Rohini Wagh, AOR Mr. Amit Kumar Singh, AOR Ms. K Enatoli Sema, Adv. Ms. Chubalemla Chang, Adv. Mr. Prang Newmai, Adv. Mr. Apoorva Bhumesh, AOR Ms. Madhavi Khare, Adv. Mr. S.k. Patri, Adv. Mr. Raveesh Kumar Tripathi, Adv. Mr. Ram Bhadauria, Adv. Mr. Lokesh Raghav, Adv. Mr. Robin Khokhar, AOR Mr. Dhananjai Jain, AOR Ms. Ankita Sarangi, AOR Mr. Abinash Acharya, Adv. Mr. Kumar Abhishek, Adv. Mr. Sravan Kumar Karanam, AOR Mr. Haraprasad Sahu, Adv. Mrs. Anita Sahu, Adv. Mr. Rohit Kumar Rana, Adv. Mr. Pranaya Kumar Mohapatra, AOR Ms. Renuka Sahu, AOR Mr. Shivam Singh, Adv. Ms. Bharti Tyagi, AOR Mr. V. K. Monga, AOR Mr. Sanjay K Das, Adv. Mr. Swetaketu Mishra, Adv. Ms. Gouri Monga, Adv. Mr. F. I. Choudhury, AOR Mr. Atul Kumar, Adv. Mr. Karunakar Rath, Adv. Mr. Abhimanyu Sharma, Adv. Ms. Deepali, Adv. Mr. Amit Gupta, Adv. Mr. Rahul Thukral, Adv. Mr. Tarun Gupta, AOR Mr. D. Abhinav Rao, AOR Mr. Abhisek Das, Adv. Ms. Megha Shaw, Adv. Mr. Raghav Bherwani, Adv. Mr. Somanatha Padhan, AOR Mr. Kumar Gaurav, Adv. Mr. Patta Arun Kumar, Adv. Mr. Duvvada Ramesh, Adv. Ms. Kristen Sleeth, Adv. Mr. Tom Joseph, AOR Ms. Arya Krishnan, Adv. Mr. Prashant Bhardwaj, Adv. Ms. Anugraha Sabu, Adv. Mr. B. Ravindra Kumar, Adv. Mr. Shamik Shirishbhai Sanjanwala, AOR Mr. Sunil Kumar Sethi, Adv. Ms. Sheetal Patil, Adv. Mr. Kailas Bajirao Autade, AOR Ms. Soumya Priyadarshinee, AOR Mr. Amit Srivastava, Adv. Mr. Naveen Kumar Bharadwaj, Adv. Mr. Suresh Chandra Tripathy, AOR Mr. Syed Mehdi Imam, AOR Mr. Anirudh Sanganeria, AOR Mr. Sushanta Kumar Mishra, Adv. Mr. Ranjit Samal, Adv. Mr. Ami Kumar Saa, Adv. Mr. Mohit Agarwal, Adv. Mr. Rizwan Ahmad, AOR Mr. Merusagar Samantaray, AOR Ms. Ayushi Upadhyay, Adv. Mr. Jaydip Pati, AOR Mr. Siddhartha Chowdhury, AOR Mr. Snehasish Mukherjee, Adv. Mr. Shaffi Mather, Adv. Mr. Suraj Mohanty, Adv. Mr. Suman Tripathy, AOR Ms. Shruti Mishra, Adv. Mr. Sougat Mishra, Adv. Ms. Nitika Duhan, Adv. Mr. Vipul Kumar, AOR Mr. Guntur Pramod Kumar, AOR Mr. Prasanna S., AOR Mr. Gautam Das, AOR Mr. Gautama Das, Adv. Mr. Abanikanta Sahu, Adv. Mr. Shivam Kumar, Adv. Mr. Tarunkant Samantaray, Adv. Mr. R.k.padhi, Adv. Ms. Vandana Miglani, Adv. Ms. Santosh Kumar Bebarta, Adv. Ms. Smita Samantaray, Adv. Mrs. Monika Chauhan, Adv. Mr. Divyesh Pratap Singh, AOR Ms. Srishti Agnihotri, AOR

The court upheld the High Court's directive for considering applicants under the 1990 rules, emphasizing that applicants have no vested right to retrospective appointment under the rehabilitation scheme.

Headnote:(A) Odisha Civil Services Rehabilitation Assistance Rules, 1990; Odisha Civil Services Rehabilitation Assistance Rules, 2020 - The High Court directed the State to consider applications for rehabilitation assistance under the 1990 rules as admissible for deceased employees, stating delays were attributable to the authorities. Retrospective appointments were not permissible as there are no vested rights under the scheme. (Paras 84-87)

(B) Procedure for Rehabilitation Appointment - Applications must be assessed based on the rules in place at the time of the deceased employee's death. The 2025 Amendment further clarifies handling pending applications. (Paras 6-12)

Facts of the case:
Respondents filed writ petitions seeking appointment on compassionate grounds under the 1990 rules following the death of a family member. The High Court acknowledged delays in processing their applications were due to the authorities, directing timely consideration under the appropriate rules.

Findings of Court:
The High Court's order to consider applications under the 1990 rules was upheld as it aligned with the amended rules. The State must facilitate review and not reject applications on technical grounds.

Issues: The principal issue was determining the applicable rules for granting rehabilitation assistance based on the timing of the employee’s death.

Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that applicants are to be considered under the rules in effect at the time of the employee’s death, emphasizing the government's obligation to process applications without undue delay.

Result: Appeals disposed of in favor of ensuring compliance with the directions for considering applications.

Table of Content
1. application process under rehabilitation rules. (Para 2)
2. comparative analysis of old and new rules. (Para 4 , 5)
3. irrelevance of retrospective claim for appointments. (Para 6)
4. updated amendments governing rehabilitation applications. (Para 8)
5. disposal of appeals with specific directives. (Para 12)

JUDGMENT :

J.K. MAHESWARI, J.

1. Leave granted.

2. The present batch of appeals is in connection with grant of appointment under the Odisha Civil Services Rehabilitation Assistance Rules prevalent in the state, and against an order dated 27.06.2023. The High Court of Orissa, Cuttack by the impugned judgment vide paragraphs 84, 85, 86 and 87 directed as under: -

“84. In view of the above decision, we are of the view that the application for the petitioners shall be considered under the Odisha Civil Services (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 1990 in as much as on scrutiny, it is found that all the applications were filed before 17.02.2020 and the delay in considering the applications in time is entirely attributable to the opposite parties. Such exercise shall be completed within a period of three months from the day when a copy of the judgment/order shall be placed before the opposite parties by the petitioners.

85. That apart, while dealing with the applications in which the petitioners have sought the rehabilitation assistance/appointment against a direct payment/GIA Rules at the Government aided educational institution, the applicability of the rehabilitation scheme in those institutions shall be separately determined by the opposite parties on the basis of the policy of the Government as discussed by us. If it is found that the Odisha Civil Services (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 1990 was applicable on the date of death of the deceased employee, the petitioner shall be considered for rehabilitation assistance/appointment. So far as the retrospective operation of the rehabilitation assistance/appointment is concerned, this Court cannot direct the opposite parties to give the appointment retrospectively under the Rehabilitation Assistance/ Appointment Scheme in as much as it is no more res integra, the petitioner does not have any vested right of appointment under such rehabilitation assistance/appointment scheme. They are only entitled to be considered under the scheme for that purpose.

86. Consequently, the opposite parties shall consider the applications of the petitioners under the Odisha Civil Services (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 1990 read with the relevant policy extending such scheme to the Government aided educational institutions at the relevant time of the death of the deceased employee for the purpose of the rehabilitation assistance/appointment within the time as prescribed above.

87. The orders passed by the opposite parties rejecting the applications for rehabilitation assistance/appointment in case of some of the petitioners are quashed.”

3. In the facts, the short question which falls for our consideration is whether directions issued by the High Court in the order impugned warrants interference in view of the Odisha Civil Services (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 2020?

4. In the present case, respondents have filed writ petitions seeking appointment on compassionate ground under the Odisha Civil Service (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 1990 (for short ‘1990 rules’). The notification dated 13th September 1990 was issued in exercise of powers conferred by the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India and the State Government through Governor made the 1990 rules to regulate recruitment to the state civil services and posts as a measure of rehabilitation assistance. The said rules were made applicable to the member of the family as specified in rule 2(b). As per rule 8, application was required to be made in Form A to the appointing authority under whom the deceased government servant had last worked. As prescribed in 1990 rules, on receiving application, the report has to be r

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