In a significant legal development, the Khordha District and Sessions Court has accepted a revision petition challenging the earlier dismissal of a case related to the alleged misuse of helicopters and public expenditure during Naveen Patnaik’s tenure as Chief Minister.
District and Sessions Judge B.N. Mohanty took cognisance of the petition and directed both former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his former close aide V.K. Pandian to file their responses by July 15.
The petition, filed by advocate Sudhir Charan Mohanty through senior advocate Manoj Nayak, questions the Bhubaneswar SDJM Court’s order that had dismissed the private complaint for want of prosecution sanction from the Governor.
After a preliminary hearing, the Sessions Court observed the matter’s importance and allowed the case to proceed further.
The controversy dates back to August 14, 2024 — barely three months after the change of government in Odisha. A complaint was lodged at Capital Police Station against then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and five secretaries, including V.K. Pandian, alleging large-scale helicopter travel for tours and meetings across the state and the expenses incurred on these journeys.
Although the police accepted the complaint, no FIR was registered. The complainant then approached the SDJM Court seeking an investigation order. The court, however, dismissed the plea, ruling that prior sanction from the competent authority (the Governor) was mandatory before proceeding against public servants.
The complainant has now approached the District & Sessions Court with additional facts and evidence through a revision petition.
Advocate Manoj Nayak, appearing for the petitioner, stated that the entire legal process was initiated on the basis of the complaint filed by Sudhir Charan Mohanty.
The court’s decision to accept the revision petition and issue notice has revived the helicopter expenditure controversy, drawing fresh attention to the alleged use of state resources during the previous BJD regime.
