Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Dr. Antarayami Mishra, a physician, for filing a baseless writ petition in connection with the Padma Shri Award controversy, thereby wasting the court’s time.
A bench comprising Dr. Justice Sanjiv Kumar Panigrahi heard the matter and found that Dr. Mishra had approached the court without any official communication or documentary evidence indicating that he had been selected for the Padma Shri Award. The court noted that his claim lacked merit and substance.
The bench directed Dr. Mishra to deposit the fine with the High Court Bar Association’s Welfare Fund and dismissed the petition.
The controversy arose after two individuals — Dr. Antarayami Mishra, a physician, and Antaryami Mishra, a journalist — claimed to be recipients of the Padma Shri Award 2023 in the category of literature and education.
Physician Dr. Mishra had moved the High Court after journalist Antaryami Mishra was officially conferred the award by the President of India. In support of his claim, the physician appeared in court and submitted records of 29 books authored by him in Odia and other Indian languages.
The High Court expressed surprise over the situation, remarking that it was unusual for two individuals to claim the same national honour, especially after rigorous verification processes conducted by the central government prior to the announcement of the Padma Shri awardees.
