IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) No.17082 of 2026 Swarupa Nayak …. Petitioner Mr. Ashit Kumar Dash, Advocate -versus- State Of Odisha & Ors. …. Opp. Parties Mr. U.C. Behura, AGA CORAM: THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE CHITTARANJAN DASH ORDEROrder No. 10.07.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the both the Parties. 2. By means of this Application, the Petitioner seeks the following relief: - “It is therefore most respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble Court may kindly be graciously pleased: Admit the Writ Petition; AND To issue a Writ or any other writ of like nature directing the Opposite Party No.5 who is chairperson of the Forest Right Cell to forward the application of the petitioner to Forest Right Committee which is part of Grama Sabha constituted the Scheduled Tribe and other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act and allied Rules 2012 for necessary inquiry and verification of the claim. AND To issue any further writ, order or direction or pass any other order or orders in the interest of justice as it may deem fit, in the facts and circumstances of the present case;”

3. As reveals from the averments made in the Writ Petition, the Petitioner claims forest rights under the relevant law and, in that connection, had submitted a representation dated 24.02.2026 before the Tahasildar-cum-Chairman of Forest Right Cell, Baliguda, District-Kandhamal, pursuant to the circular issued by the Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue & Disaster Management Department dated 29.06.2020. 4. The record further reveals that although the Petitioner has approached this Court seeking a direction for consideration of his grievance, the representation dated 24.02.2026 was not addressed to the competent authority. 5. Since Opposite Party No.5, namely, the Tahasildar, G. Udayagiri (Chairperson of Forest Cell), District-Kandhamal, is the authority concerned, this Court deems it appropriate to permit the Petitioner to file a fresh representation before Opposite Party No.5 within a period of two (2) weeks from today. In the event such representation is filed along with a copy of this order and relevant documents, Opposite Party No.5 shall consider and dispose of the same in accordance with law, the applicable Rules and the circular dated 29.06.2020, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of one (1) month from the date of its receipt, and communicate the result thereof to the Petitioner within one (1) week thereafter. 6. With the above observation, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. (Chittaranjan Dash) Judge Priyanka Signature Not Verified

Digitally Signed Signed by: PRIYANKA BARIK Reason: Authentication Location: HIGH COURT OF ORISSA, CUTTACK Date: 13-Jul-2026 16:30:31 Page 2 of 2

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) No.17082 of 2026 Swarupa Nayak …. Petitioner Mr. Ashit Kumar Dash, Advocate -versus- State Of Odisha & Ors. …. Opp. Parties Mr. U.C. Behura, AGA CORAM: THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE CHITTARANJAN DASH ORDEROrder No. 10.07.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the both the Parties. 2. By means of this Application, the Petitioner seeks the following relief: - “It is therefore most respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble Court may kindly be graciously pleased: Admit the Writ Petition; AND To issue a Writ or any other writ of like nature directing the Opposite Party No.5 who is chairperson of the Forest Right Cell to forward the application of the petitioner to Forest Right Committee which is part of Grama Sabha constituted the Scheduled Tribe and other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act and allied Rules 2012 for necessary inquiry and verification of the claim. AND To issue any further writ, order or direction or pass any other order or orders in the interest of justice as it may deem fit, in the facts and circumstances of the present case;”

3. As reveals from the averments made in the Writ Petition, the Petitioner claims forest rights under the relevant law and, in that connection, had submitted a representation dated 24.02.2026 before the Tahasildar-cum-Chairman of Forest Right Cell, Baliguda, District-Kandhamal, pursuant to the circular issued by the Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue & Disaster Management Department dated 29.06.2020. 4. The record further reveals that although the Petitioner has approached this Court seeking a direction for consideration of his grievance, the representation dated 24.02.2026 was not addressed to the competent authority. 5. Since Opposite Party No.5, namely, the Tahasildar, G. Udayagiri (Chairperson of Forest Cell), District-Kandhamal, is the authority concerned, this Court deems it appropriate to permit the Petitioner to file a fresh representation before Opposite Party No.5 within a period of two (2) weeks from today. In the event such representation is filed along with a copy of this order and relevant documents, Opposite Party No.5 shall consider and dispose of the same in accordance with law, the applicable Rules and the circular dated 29.06.2020, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of one (1) month from the date of its receipt, and communicate the result thereof to the Petitioner within one (1) week thereafter. 6. With the above observation, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. (Chittaranjan Dash) Judge Priyanka Signature Not Verified

Digitally Signed Signed by: PRIYANKA BARIK Reason: Authentication Location: HIGH COURT OF ORISSA, CUTTACK Date: 13-Jul-2026 16:30:31 Page 2 of 2