The Orissa High Court bench of Justice S.K. Panigrahi is set to hear a unique case involving two individuals with the same name, both Antaryami Mishras’, and both claiming to be the recipients of the Padma Shri Award 2023. The Petitioner, by way of a Writ Petition, is seeking directions from the Court to order the Opposite Party No.1 (Union of India) to give a clarification regarding candidature for the “Padma Shri Award.”

It was the claim of the Petitioner, a doctor and renowned Odia litterateur with 29 published books, that he was selected for the Padma Shri Award 2023, for his literary contributions. However, he alleged that Opposite Party No. 2, a journalist with no authorship credentials, fraudulently secured the award by impersonating him due to their identical names.

Expressing concern over the verification process, the court noted that despite rigorous checks, such disputes should not arise.

“This Court finds it rather surprising that, despite the State Government playing a key role in the verification process and various paraphernalia are followed before the Padma Shri Award is declared, yet such type of claim and counterclaim kind of situation arises just because the names are identical.” The Court stated.

The court has issued notices to both parties, and they have been directed to appear before the Court on 24th February, 2025, at 2 PM with relevant documents to substantiate their claims.

Case Details: Antaryami Mishra vs. Union of India & Anr., W.P.(C) No.9971 of 2023

Advocate for the Petitioner: Mr. S. A. Swain

Advocate for the Respondent: DSGI Mr. P. K. Parhi Along with Mr. D. Gochhayat, CGC