Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has summoned two persons sharing the same name over ownership of Padma Shri conferred in 2023.
They have been asked to appear before the court to present their case at 2 pm on February 24.
The Padma Shri awardee’s list of 2023 mentioned Antaryami Mishra chosen for his contribution to literature and education. One Antaryami Mishra, a journalist by profession, went to New Delhi and received the award from President Droupadi Murmu.
Later, Dr Antaryami Mishra, a physician and Odia litterateur with 29 books published in his name in various Indian languages, moved the high court claiming that his namesake fraudulently claimed the award through impersonation. The petitioner, a resident of Tankapani Road in Bhubaneswar, also claimed that he got a congratulatory call from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He further added that the journalist has no book to his credit.
While hearing the case on Tuesday, Justice S K Panigrahi observed, “This court finds it rather surprising that, despite the state government playing a key role in the verification process and various paraphernalia 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 added that the mix-up due to identical names raises concerns over the credibility of the selection process.
Both the claimants have been directed to appear before the court along with all publications and materials to substantiate their claims. Notices have also been issued to the respondents, including the Union of India, on the matter.
The defendant, an author of many textbooks and a native of Dhenkanal town, said he would respond to the court notice when he receives it. “I was not aware of the court case. I don’t think there is any confusion regarding my award as my name was recommended by several people from Odisha and outside, including former Andhra Pradesh governor Biswabhusan Harichandan, and communications made by the government to my home address,” he told TOI.
