PRAMOD KUMAR PATI Vs. CHIEF SECRETARY, ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been filed by way of Public Interest Litigation. Although the petitioner (who are two in number) have not disclosed their locus to move this Court, according to them a news item published in the Sambad on 8.11.2002 alleging commission of irregularities by the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Orissa, Cuttack in the matter of purchase of medicines prompted them to file the present writ petition. The petitioners allege that there is truth in the news because Dr. N. N. Dhar, Joint Director -I, Directorate of Animal Husbandary and Veterinary Services, Orissa in his representation to the President of Orissa Veterinary Association has raised his voice against the manner and mode of functioning by the Director.

(2.) COUNTER affidavit has been filed by the Director of the Animal Husbandary and Veterinary Services, Orissa (Opposite party No. 3) The Commissioner -cum -Secretary to the Government in Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department (opposite party no. 2) has also filed a separate counter affidavit. In both the counter affidavits, the allegations made in the writ petition as well as in the news item have been emphatically denied.

(3.) LEARNED Government Advocate, on our direction, has produced the relevant records. We have perused the records as well as the pleadings of the parties.