Debagada: The Odisha government has restored Shanti Manjari Dei to the office of Chairperson of Debagada Municipality with immediate effect, complying with an order of the Orissa High Court in a case challenging her earlier removal.
According to a notification issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department on August 13, Dei was removed from the post by a government notification dated January 28, 2025, under Section 53 of the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950.
Challenging her removal, Dei had filed W.P.(C) No. 3887 of 2025 before the High Court. In its judgment dated March 25, 2026, the court allowed the writ petition and set aside the January 28, 2025 notification, directing the government to restore her as Chairperson of Debagada Municipality.
The state government subsequently preferred Writ Appeal No. 660 of 2026 against the judgment, which is currently pending adjudication.
Meanwhile, Dei filed Contempt Petition No. 2265 of 2026 alleging non-compliance with the High Court’s March 25 order. While hearing the contempt petition on July 31, 2026, the High Court directed the filing of a compliance affidavit and said that, in the absence of any stay order in the appeal, she should be restored as Chairperson with the compliance affidavit filed.
In compliance with the High Court’s judgment and subsequent directions, the Housing and Urban Development Department has now restored Dei to the post with immediate effect. The restoration, however, is subject to the final outcome of Writ Appeal No. 660 of 2026 and any further orders passed in the matter.
The notification was issued by the Director, Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development Department, and dated August 13, 2026.
