Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati has appointed Justice Satrughana Pujahari, a retired judge of the Orissa High Court, as Chairperson of the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC).
According to a notification issued by the state’s Law Department on Thursday the appointment will take effect from the date Justice Pujahari assumes office.
Justice Pujahari brings extensive judicial and administrative experience to the role.
He was born on September 24, 1960, in Subalaya village of Sonepur district. After completing his schooling at Subalaya High School and graduating with a BA in Political Science (Honours) from Rajendra College, Balangir, he earned his LLB from L
al Lajpat Rai Law College, Sambalpur, in 1986. He initially practised law in Sambalpur, handling both civil and criminal cases.
His judicial career began in February 2003 as Second Additional District and Sessions Judge in Ganjam at Berhampur. He later served as District and Sessions Judge in several districts, including Koraput (Jeypore), Ganjam (Berhampur), Puri, and Cuttack. He also held positions such as Chairman of the Sales Tax Tribunal, Odisha; Member Secretary of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority in Cuttack; and Principal Secretary of the Law Department.
In November 2013, he was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Orissa High Court and became a permanent Judge in October 2014. In November 2017, he was transferred to the Madras High Court and was later repatriated to the Orissa High Court, rejoining on November 19, 2018. He continued as a Judge in the HC here till September 23, 2022.
The OHRC plays a crucial role in addressing human rights violations, conducting inquiries, and safeguarding the rights of citizens, particularly vulnerable sections of society.