IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) No.9556 of 2025 Kalinga Institute of …. Petitioner(s)

Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar & Anr.

Mr. C.S. Vaidyanathan, Sr. Adv.

along with associates Mr. Shibashish Misra, Adv.

Mr. Arnav Behera, Adv.

-versus-

National Human Rights …. Opposite Party(s)

Commission, New Delhi & Ors.

Mr. Sonak Mishra, ASC Mr. Ipsit Aurobindo Acharya, Adv.

CORAM:

HON’BLE DR.JUSTICE SANJEEB K PANIGRAHI

ORDER

Order 12.12.2025 No. W.P.(C) No.9556 of 2025 with I.A. No.22036 of 2025

03. 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid arrangement.

2. In filing the present Interlocutory Application being I.A. No. 22036 of 2025, the Petitioners seek a direction from this Court to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha (Opposite Party No. 2), to ensure strict and effective compliance with the order dated 07.04.2025 passed by this Court in I.A. No. 5603 of 2025, in its true letter and spirit.

Signature Not Verified Digit ally Signed In addition to the aforesaid relief, the Petitioners further pray for a direction restraining the Opposite Parties from taking any coercive action against them pursuant to the show cause notice dated 09.09.2025 issued by the competent authority of the Department of Higher Education, Government of Odisha.

3. Heard.

4. Learned Senior Advocate Mr. Vaidyanathan submits that, during the subsistence of the interim order dated 07.04.2025 passed by this Court in I.A. No. 5603 of 2025, the Department of Higher Education, Government of Odisha, issued a show cause notice dated 09.09.2025 to the Petitioners. It is further submitted that, in the said show cause notice, the following lapses and violations are alleged to have been committed by the Petitioners–

Institution:

“a. Deficiencies in grievance redressal mechanisms;

b. Lack of effective mental health support and counselling systems;

c. Inadequate hostel and residential infrastructure and overcrowding;

d. Improper handling of issues concerning international students;

e. Use of force by security personnel and absence of proper training / oversight;

f. Non-compliance with statutory safety, Signature Not Verified accessibility and welfare norms;”

Digitally Signed The Petitioners were also directed to submit a detailed compliance report on the recommendations of the Committee, specifically indicating the followings: -

“a. Corrective measures already taken.

b. Corrective measures proposed, with clear timelines for implementation;

c. Responsibility fixed for the lapses identified;

and d. Mechanism for ensuring non-recurrence of such incidents in future.”

5. He further submits that a comprehensive reply to the impugned show cause notice dated 09.09.2025 was duly filed on 24.09.2025. He accordingly prays that this Court may be pleased to allow the reliefs sought for in the present Interlocutory Application.

6. Be that as it may, this Court is of the considered view that incidents of students’ suicide within the campuses of Universities or Colleges constitute a matter of grave and pressing concern. Such unfortunate occurrences have been reported across Universities throughout the Country and demand urgent institutional introspection and corrective measures. This Court does not perceive the present proceedings as adversarial in nature; rather, it considers that all Universities within the State, whether in the public Signature Not Verified or private sector, ought to be issued similar notices by the Digitally Signed Department of Higher Education, with a view to ensuring due and uniform compliance with the prescribed norms and safeguards.

7. In the backdrop of the foregoing discussion and having regard to the overarching issues involved, this Court deems it appropriate to direct the Opposite Parties to place on record a comprehensive and duly sworn compliance affidavit, addressing in details especially the issues and deficiencies adverted to in the show cause notice dated 09.09.2025 (Annexure-6), not merely confined to the Petitioners’ institution, but extending to all Universities,