STATE OF ODISHA Vs. SUDHANSU SEKHAR JENA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Delay condoned. Leave granted.

(2.) In all these appeals which are before this Court, the State of Odisha has challenged the order of the Division Bench of the Orissa High Court by which their Writ Appeals were dismissed due to inordinate delay in filing of Writ Appeals. Even this Court had earlier dismissed a few Special Leave Petitions on the same dispute, which were belatedly filed even before this Court. All the same, we are now examining the cases on its merits considering the importance of the matter(s). Nevertheless, the casual manner in which the State authorities, particularly the concerned department of the State and the Land Records office Surveys Office have handled the matters is a matter of concern.

(3.) It is not a case concerning a few employees, rather it affects a large number, and in turn, the State Exchequer. It is for this reason that we were persuaded to look into these matter(s), although initially, we were not inclined to interfere, considering the lethargic approach of the State in pursuing these matters, and the inordinate delay caused, which was never explained in any satisfactory manner. The State though kept filing one Special Leave Petition after another before this Court, not in one go but one after another, most of them belatedly, to complete a mere formality. For this reason, many of these petitions have been dismissed on the ground of delay itself as stated earlier, as Courts do not come to rescue those who sleep over their rights. Be it the State. The liability of the State on this issue will be addressed towards the end. Now, since we are taking up these matters, what will be the fate of the already dismissed petitions after our determination, we will address at the end.