Jagabandhu Sodi v. Govt. Of Orissa

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

WPC No. 21949 of 2022 Jagabandhu Sodi & Ors.

....

Petitioners Mr. D.K. Rath, Advocate - Versus - Govt. of Odisha ....

Opp. Party Mr. R.N. Acharya, Standing Counsel for S & ME Dept.

CORAM:

JUSTICE SASHIKANTA MISHRA

ORDER

26.08.2022

1. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode. Order No.

01.

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Standing Counsel for School and Mass Education Department.

3. The petitioners are applicants in the Special Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET), 2022 examination scheduled to be held on 29.08.2022. It is their case that they being in-service teachers of Classes-I to VIII, submitted their applications through online mode pursuant to the notification dated 03.08.2022. Such applications were submitted on the website www.bseodisha.ac.in, as per the online link made available in the website.

4. The petitioners also claim to have paid required examination fees of Rs.400/- and Rs.600/- respectively for SC, ST and General category candidates. It is submitted that even though the amounts in question paid towards fees have been deducted from their bank accounts, yet no acknowledgment was issued. Further, as required, the petitioners attempted to download the hard copies of the admit cards from the website of the BSE, but could not do so. As such, they apprehend that their applications may have been rejected without any justified reason.

5. Having regard to the submissions as above and without expressing any opinion on merits of the case, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to opposite party no.2 to consider the candidature of the petitioners and if they are found to have satisfied all the eligibility criteria, to permit them to appear in the examination scheduled to be held on 29.08.2022.

6. Issue urgent certified copy as per rules in course of the day. (Sashikanta Mishra) Judge A.K. Rana