IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

W.P.(C) No.341 of 2023

Nagen Bhoi and others

….

Petitioners

Mr. S.D. Routray, Advocate

-versus-

State of Odisha and others

….

Opp. Parties

Mr. B.P. Tripathy, AGA

CORAM:

JUSTICE A.K. MOHAPATRA

Order No.

ORDER

27.01.2023

I.A, No.1142 of 2023

04.

1.

This matter is taken up through Hybrid Arrangement

(Virtual /Physical Mode).

2.

This interlocutory application has been filed by the Opposite

Party No.2 seeking modification of the judgment dated 24.01.2023

passed by this Court in the aforesaid writ petition.

3.

It is submitted by the learned Additional Government

Advocate appearing for the State-Opposite Parties that while

passing the final judgment, this Court had granted age relaxation of

upto 4 years in the upper age limit for recruitment to the rank of

constable by a reasoned order. However, it has been further

directed that the candidates, who have become eligible now in

view of aforesaid age relaxation and had not applied for the said

post, can submit their applications through online as well as offline

mode.

4.

Learned Additional Government Advocate pointed out that

in the impugned advertisement, no condition was there permitting

the aspiring candidates to submit the application through offline

// 2 //

mode. Considering the number of candidates likely to apply for the

advertised 4790 posts, learned Additional Government Advocate

made a prayer before this Court for a direction to the candidates by

permitting them to submit their applications through online mode

only. Furthermore, since a huge number of candidates in respect of

4 years are likely to apply, it would be difficult on the part of the

Opposite Parties to handle such applications submitted through

offline mode within a short period of time.

5.

Considering such submissions, this Court is of the

considered view that no prejudice would be caused to the

candidates who have been given opportunity under the judgment

dated 24.01.2023, in the event they are asked to submit their

applications through online mode only as in any event they would

get opportunity to participate in the selection process.

6.

In such view of the matter, the judgment dated 24.01.2023 is

hereby modified. Accordingly, it is directed that the Corrigendum

shall be published by indicating therein that the applications shall

be received through online mode only from the eligible candidates.

7.

With the aforesaid direction, the I.A. stands disposed of.

8.

A free copy of this order be handed over to the learned

Additional Government Advocate in course of the day.

( A.K. Mohapatra)

Judge

Debasis