A routine listing before the Supreme Court Registrar on Thursday quietly turned into a stern reminder on procedural discipline, as several Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) filed by the State of Odisha were pushed forward for scrutiny by a Judge-in-Chambers. The matters, involving dozens of private respondents, revealed a familiar but uncomfortable picture-missed deadlines, incomplete service, and paperwork still in limbo.
Background
The batch of cases arose from petitions filed by the State of Odisha against Ramesh Chandra Naik and others. These included SLP (Civil) Diary Nos. 20255 of 2024, 27436 of 2023, and 49016 of 2023. Over time, multiple interim applications were added-seeking condonation of delay, permission to file additional documents, substitution of legal heirs, and setting aside abatement.
During the hearing before Registrar Mashroor Alam Khan, the record showed that while many respondents had filed their counter affidavits, several others-despite service being complete-had not entered appearance. On the government’s side, the story was mixed. In some cases, steps were taken late; in others, not at all.
Court’s Observations
Reading through the proceedings, the Registrar noted that in SLP (C) Diary No. 20255 of 2024, counter affidavits had already come on record from a large group of respondents. However, two respondents were yet to file their replies. The Registrar granted time until January 9, 2026, but made it clear that this was the last chance. As the order recorded, if the affidavit was not filed by then, “further opportunity to file the same is declined.”
The tone sharpened in the older matters. In Diary No. 27436 of 2023, the petitioner’s counsel had failed to take steps after the death of one respondent and also did not ensure fresh service on several others, despite earlier warnings. Similarly, in Diary No. 49016 of 2023, proof of dasti service was missing even after the final opportunity had been granted. These were not new lapses but repeated ones, and the Registrar flagged them plainly.
Decision
In view of these shortcomings, the Supreme Court ordered that all three matters be processed for listing before the Hon’ble Judge-in-Chambers for further directions, in light of earlier orders passed in August and November 2025. Copies of the proceedings were directed to be supplied to the concerned advocates-on-record for immediate compliance. With that, the Registrar closed the day’s proceedings, leaving the fate of the appeals to be decided at the next stage.
Case Title: The State of Odisha & Others vs. Ramesh Chandra Naik & Others
Case No.: SLP (Civil) Diary Nos. 20255/2024, 27436/2023, 49016/2023
Case Type: Special Leave Petition (Civil)
Decision Date: 12 December 2025