TV
The Orissa High Court in Cuttack resolved a dispute over the Padma Shri award in literature and education by dismissing the case and imposing a fine of Rs 10,000 on the petitioner. The court concluded on Wednesday that the petitioner failed to provide adequate evidence, resulting in a misuse of judicial resources.
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How the controversy emerged?
Earlier, the controversy emerged in 2023 when a literature enthusiast from Bhubaneswar, Antarjyami Mishra, contested the honour awarded to another individual sharing the same name from Dhenkanal district, who had been recognised by the President of India.
Asserting his claim to the honour, the Bhubaneswar-based Antarjyami Mishra took the matter to the High Court, which subsequently instructed both parties to submit personal and supporting evidence.
Following an assessment of the provided documentation, the court declared that the Padma Shri rightfully belonged to the individual from Dhenkanal.
“Would someone claim the Padma Shri award after receiving a hoax call or prank call? The court observed that the petitioner demeaned the Padma Shri (literature) awardee’s position. His (petitioner’s) case was dismissed by the court for wasting the judiciary’s valuable resources,” Dhenkanal-based Antarjyami Mishra’s legal counsel, SS Das, expressed.
“The court has imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000,” the counsel said.
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“I was surprised, but order of the court is an ‘order’ after all. However, I cannot comment on anything as I have not yet received the order copy. Every word in an order has a specific meaning; hence cannot say anything,” the petitioner said to OTV when contacted.
