IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) No.26868 of 2026 CNR No. ODHC010640912026 Lalita Kumar Patra ..... Petitioner Represented by Adv. - Bikash Ranjan Ojha -versus- 1) STATE OF ODISHA ..... Opposite Parties 2) ADDL. CHIEF SECRETARY Represented by Adv. – TO GOVT., STEEL AND MINES Mr. J.K. Ray, ASC DEPT., ODISHA 3) DY. DIRECTOR OF MINES, O O-DY. DIRECTOR OF MINES, JAGATPUR 4) MINING OFFICER, CUTTACK CIRCLE 5) ADDL. TAHASILDAR, SADAR, CUTTACK 6) I.I.C., BADAMBADI P.S. CORAM: MR. JUSTICE ADITYA KUMAR MOHAPATRA ORDER 25.08.2026 Order No. 01. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Mode. 2. Heard Mr. Ojha, learned counsel for the Petitioner and Mr. J.K. Ray, learned ASC for State-Opposite Parties. 3. The Petitioner has come up challenging the impugned order of demand notice regarding payment of compounding fee amounting Rs.4,05,331/- as per Annexure-3, for illegal Page 1 of 2. transportation of sand in the vehicle bearing registration number OD-02-DM-2029. 4. As seen from Annexure-3, the Mining Officer, Kataka Circle, Kataka has issued the notice for deposit of compounding fee to the aforementioned tune.

5. As such, the writ petition is disposed of granting liberty to the authorities to proceed in accordance with law in respect of the vehicle in question. However, without prejudice to the contention of the Petitioner, in the event he deposits a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) in cash and the rest amount as property security in respect of the demanded amount as per Annexure-3, before the authority within a period of 15 days from today along with certified copy of this order and a copy of the writ petition, his vehicle may be released in his favour as an interim measure, subject to final decision to be taken by the authority. An urgent certified copy of this order shall be issued on proper application. ( A.K. Mohapatra ) Judge Sisir Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: SISIR KUMAR SETHI Designation: PERSONAL ASSISTANT Reason: Authentication Location: ORISSA HIGH COURT Date: 28-Aug-2026 12:05:08 Page 2 of 2.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK WP(C) No.26868 of 2026 CNR No. ODHC010640912026 Lalita Kumar Patra ..... Petitioner Represented by Adv. - Bikash Ranjan Ojha -versus- 1) STATE OF ODISHA ..... Opposite Parties 2) ADDL. CHIEF SECRETARY Represented by Adv. – TO GOVT., STEEL AND MINES Mr. J.K. Ray, ASC DEPT., ODISHA 3) DY. DIRECTOR OF MINES, O O-DY. DIRECTOR OF MINES, JAGATPUR 4) MINING OFFICER, CUTTACK CIRCLE 5) ADDL. TAHASILDAR, SADAR, CUTTACK 6) I.I.C., BADAMBADI P.S. CORAM: MR. JUSTICE ADITYA KUMAR MOHAPATRA ORDER 25.08.2026 Order No. 01. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Mode. 2. Heard Mr. Ojha, learned counsel for the Petitioner and Mr. J.K. Ray, learned ASC for State-Opposite Parties. 3. The Petitioner has come up challenging the impugned order of demand notice regarding payment of compounding fee amounting Rs.4,05,331/- as per Annexure-3, for illegal Page 1 of 2. transportation of sand in the vehicle bearing registration number OD-02-DM-2029. 4. As seen from Annexure-3, the Mining Officer, Kataka Circle, Kataka has issued the notice for deposit of compounding fee to the aforementioned tune.

5. As such, the writ petition is disposed of granting liberty to the authorities to proceed in accordance with law in respect of the vehicle in question. However, without prejudice to the contention of the Petitioner, in the event he deposits a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) in cash and the rest amount as property security in respect of the demanded amount as per Annexure-3, before the authority within a period of 15 days from today along with certified copy of this order and a copy of the writ petition, his vehicle may be released in his favour as an interim measure, subject to final decision to be taken by the authority. An urgent certified copy of this order shall be issued on proper application. ( A.K. Mohapatra ) Judge Sisir Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: SISIR KUMAR SETHI Designation: PERSONAL ASSISTANT Reason: Authentication Location: ORISSA HIGH COURT Date: 28-Aug-2026 12:05:08 Page 2 of 2.