SC refuses to stay recruitment of 621 assistant executive engineers in state
2
3
Cuttack: The
Supreme Court
has refused to stay the recruitment process for 621 assistant executive engineer (AEE) posts by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), even as it admitted a special leave petition (SLP) challenging a Jan 15 order by the Orissa high court related to the case.
The recruitment advertisement, published on Dec 28, 2023, for 580 civil and 41 mechanical AEE posts, followed the Odisha Engineering Service (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Amendment Rules, 2023. The rules replaced the traditional written test with selection based on the highest valid GATE score from the preceding three years, including the year of advertisement.
Following the HC's Jan 15 directive, OPSC extended the application deadline to May 8, allowing otherwise eligible candidates to apply after appearing in GATE.
However, Ritesh Kumar Mohapatra challenged the HC order in the SC via an SLP.
On June 3, an SC bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Augustine George Masih issued notice to the Odisha govt returnable in the week beginning Aug 11 but declined to halt the recruitment process.
Meanwhile, a separate batch of petitions filed in the HC has questioned the revised application window, arguing it deprived aspirants of a chance to appear in GATE 2025.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
The petitioners claimed that by the time the HC order was issued in Jan, GATE 2025 registration had already closed (Sept/Oct 2024), preventing them from availing the benefit.
In response, the HC's vacation bench of Justice A K Mohapatra passed an interim order on May 26, allowing the recruitment process to continue but directing that one post be kept vacant per petitioner until the next hearing. The court also instructed OPSC and the state govt to file counter affidavits.
The case is now slated for hearing in the week beginning July 7.
State govt and OPSC have defended the ongoing process, stating that delaying recruitment would hamper critical infrastructure projects. They argued that GATE 2025 was an open opportunity and that the petitioners had chosen not to apply.
The final outcome now hinges on the legal proceedings in both the SC and HC.
Cuttack: The Supreme Court has refused to stay the recruitment process for 621 assistant executive engineer (AEE) posts by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), even as it admitted a special leave petition (SLP) challenging a Jan 15 order by the Orissa high court related to the case.
The recruitment advertisement, published on Dec 28, 2023, for 580 civil and 41 mechanical AEE posts, followed the Odisha Engineering Service (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Amendment Rules, 2023. The rules replaced the traditional written test with selection based on the highest valid GATE score from the preceding three years, including the year of advertisement.
Following the HC's Jan 15 directive, OPSC extended the application deadline to May 8, allowing otherwise eligible candidates to apply after appearing in GATE.
However, Ritesh Kumar Mohapatra challenged the HC order in the SC via an SLP.
On June 3, an SC bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Augustine George Masih issued notice to the Odisha govt returnable in the week beginning Aug 11 but declined to halt the recruitment process.
Meanwhile, a separate batch of petitions filed in the HC has questioned the revised application window, arguing it deprived aspirants of a chance to appear in GATE 2025.
The petitioners claimed that by the time the HC order was issued in Jan, GATE 2025 registration had already closed (Sept/Oct 2024), preventing them from availing the benefit.
In response, the HC's vacation bench of Justice A K Mohapatra passed an interim order on May 26, allowing the recruitment process to continue but directing that one post be kept vacant per petitioner until the next hearing. The court also instructed OPSC and the state govt to file counter affidavits.
The case is now slated for hearing in the week beginning July 7.
State govt and OPSC have defended the ongoing process, stating that delaying recruitment would hamper critical infrastructure projects. They argued that GATE 2025 was an open opportunity and that the petitioners had chosen not to apply.
The final outcome now hinges on the legal proceedings in both the SC and HC.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai's kabutarkhana row deepens: Jain monk warns of fast from August 13
Jain monk Muni Nileshchandra Vijay has warned of launching an indefinite hunger strike from August 13 against the decision to shut down Dadar Kabutarkhana to stop people from feeding pigeons. He asserted the community would not abide by court orders on the issue if it went against their religious practices. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has covered the Dadar Kabutarkhana area following court orders.(ANI) The Jain community is peaceful but, if needed, it will take up arms for religion, he had said on Sunday. Maharashtra skill development minister Manga Prabhat Lodha, who has been supportive of efforts to save kabutarkhanas (pigeon shelter or feeding stations), however, distanced himself from Vijay's comments. On August 6, a large number of protesters removed the tarpaulin cover put up by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at the Dadar Kabutarkhana to discourage the practice of feeding grains to pigeons and also clashed with police. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Vijay said, "We will follow the path of satyagraha and hunger strike. The Jain community is peaceful but, if needed, will take up arms for our religion. If any decision goes against our faith, we will not accept even the court's order." He claimed more than 10 lakh Jains from all over the country will take part in the protest. "The ban targets Jain traditions. The move is politically motivated with elections in mind. From ants to elephants, no living being should die (from hunger), that is what our religion teaches. Why is Jainism being targeted? Show how many people die after consuming liquor and chicken," the monk further said. Queried by reporters about Vijay's comments, Lodha said, "I do not agree with his statement. I have spoken twice on this matter and I am fulfilling my role. I will not comment further." The BMC on Sunday once again covered Dadar Kabutarkhana with plastic sheets. It repaired the damaged bamboo cladding at the spot before putting silver coloured plastic sheets on the pigeon feeding area, located on the west side of Dadar station, the officials said. To avoid any law and order issue and prevent people from feeding the birds, security at the site has been stepped up and the civic body also deployed its marshals at the kabutarkhana, they said. The BMC's decision to ban public feeding of pigeons in view of health hazards associated with the practice and close kabutarkhanas has led to a controversy. People who feed pigeons have challenged the civic body's decision in the Bombay High Court. On August 7, the HC said it had not passed any order directing the closure of kabutarkhanas in the city, but only refrained from staying the closure order of the municipal corporation. A committee of experts can study whether the old kabutarkhanas in the city should continue, but "human life is of paramount importance", it had said. The HC was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by people who feed pigeons challenging the civic body's decision to ban such feeding and close kabutarkhanas.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Pigeon feeding row: Jain monk warns of stir from August 13, says will take up arms if needed
Jain monk Muni Nileshchandra Vijay has warned of launching an indefinite hunger strike from August 13 against the decision to shut down Dadar Kabutarkhana to stop people from feeding pigeons and asserted the community would not abide by court orders on the issue if it went against their religious practices. The Jain community is peaceful, but if needed, it will take up arms for religion, he had said on Sunday (August 10, 2025). Maharashtra Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who has been supportive of efforts to save Kabutarkhanas, however, distanced himself from Mr. Vijay's comments. On August 6, a large number of protesters removed the tarpaulin cover put up by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at the Dadar Kabutarkhana to discourage the practice of feeding grains to pigeons and also clashed with police. Speaking to reporters on Sunday (August 10, 2025), Mr. Vijay said, 'We will follow the path of satyagraha and hunger strike. The Jain community is peaceful, but if needed, we will take up arms for our religion. If any decision goes against our faith, we will not accept even the court's order.' He claimed more than 10 lakh Jains from all over the country will take part in the protest. 'The ban targets Jain traditions. The move is politically motivated with elections in mind. From ants to elephants, no living being should die (from hunger), that is what our religion teaches. Why is Jainism being targeted? Show how many people die after consuming liquor and chicken,' the monk further said. Queried by reporters about Mr. Vijay's comments, Mr. Lodha said, 'I do not agree with his statement. I have spoken twice on this matter, and I am fulfilling my role. I will not comment further.' The BMC on Sunday (August 10, 2025) once again covered Dadar Kabutarkhana with plastic sheets. It repaired the damaged bamboo cladding at the spot before putting silver coloured plastic sheets on the pigeon feeding area, located on the west side of Dadar station, the officials said. To avoid any law and order issue and prevent people from feeding the birds, security at the site has been stepped up and the civic body also deployed its marshals at the kabutarkhana, they said. The BMC's decision to ban public feeding of pigeons in view of health hazards associated with the practice and close kabutarkhanas has led to a controversy. People who feed pigeons have challenged the civic body's decision in the Bombay High Court. On August 7, the HC said it had not passed any order directing the closure of kabutarkhanas in the city but only refrained from staying the closure order of the municipal corporation. A committee of experts can study whether the old kabutarkhanas in the city should continue, but 'human life is of paramount importance', it had said. The HC was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by people who feed pigeons, challenging the civic body's decision to ban such feeding and close kabutarkhanas.
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
SC upholds conviction of Medha Patkar in defamation case, waives penalty of ₹1 lakh
The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the conviction of social activist Medha Patkar in a defamation case filed by Delhi lieutenant governor (L-G) VK Saxena but waived the penalty of ₹1 lakh imposed on her. The sessions court in April this year, upheld the conviction but set aside the jail term and released Patkar on probation. (File photo) A bench of justices MM Sundresh and NK Singh passed the order in relation to an appeal filed by Patkar challenging the July 29 order of the Delhi high court upholding her conviction. 'We are not inclined to interfere with the conviction. However, the penalty imposed on the appellant stands set aside,' the bench said. The Delhi high court upheld the trial court's order convicting and sentencing Patkar in a 2001 criminal defamation case filed by L-G Saxena, concluding that her statements were defamatory and tarnished Saxena's image. The defamation case was filed by Saxena at the time when he was heading the non profit National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL)-- which actively supported the Sardar Sarovar Dam Project in Gujarat. Also Read: Delhi HC upholds conviction of Medha Patkar in criminal defamation case It stemmed from the press release issued by Patkar, who led the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) that mobilised protests against the construction of the dam. The release titled 'True Face of Patriot', alleged that Saxena had donated a cheque to NBA, which later bounced and implied that he covertly aided the movement, which he publicly opposed. In May last year, metropolitan magistrate Raghav Sharma found Patkar guilty, sentenced her to five months imprisonment and imposed ₹10 lakh fine. The sessions court in April this year, upheld the conviction but set aside the jail term and released Patkar on probation. The HC upheld the sessions court order, observing that the same was passed after due consideration of evidence and law. The order of July 29 said, 'The record suggests that the essential ingredients of Section 499 (criminal defamation) of the IPC are clearly made out. The imputations made were specific, published in the public domain and caused harm to the reputation of the respondent. The order under challenge appears to have been passed after due consideration of the evidence on record and the applicable law.' Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh appearing for Patkar said that the HC disbelieved the statement of witnesses produced in favour of Patkar's defence. Patkar asserted she had no connection either with and did not have knowledge about the press note. Parikh further submitted that the release could have been typed by anyone and mere addition of the name at the end of the note, could not be considered as a proof that the release was issued or caused to be published by her. Saxena was represented in the top court by senior advocate Maninder Singh. The L-G maintained that Patkar was actively involved in the issuance of the press release. He further submitted that even though the 70-year old activist was not a convenor of the web portal on which the press release was uploaded, she was directly correlated to it since the portal contained NBA's office address, which is same as Patkar's address. The high court had modified the condition of probation requiring her to physically appear before the trial court every three months. The high court said that she could either appear online or through her lawyer. The top court held that the supervision order in this regard will not be given effect to.
