The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to reinstate Hindi teacher Binodini Nayak, who was removed from service after the reinstatement of a previously dismissed teacher, despite her decades of unblemished service.
Teacher Lost Job After SC Reinstatement of Predecessor
Nayak was appointed as a Hindi teacher at Udayanarayan Vidyapith, Dhobasila (Balasore) on January 5, 2005, after her predecessor Ramesh Chandra Parida was terminated in 2004 for prolonged unauthorised absence.
Her appointment was formally approved in April 2012, with retrospective effect from 2008. However, the Supreme Court overturned Parida’s termination on April 2, 2024, and ordered his reinstatement, forcing Nayak out of her post.
Petition Seeking Relief
Following her removal, Nayak approached the authorities requesting adjustment against any vacant posts in aided schools. Her plea was rejected by the Secondary Education Department in September 2024, citing a pending review petition before the Supreme Court.
Nayak then moved the Orissa High Court seeking relief.
Court’s Observations and Order
Justice Dixit Krishna Shripad, hearing Nayak’s petition, observed that the review petition had already been dismissed by the Supreme Court in January 2025.
The Court criticised the “colonial mindset” of the department in handling the case and quashed its rejection order. It directed that Nayak be reinstated under the Block Grant scheme, thereby restoring her job security and service benefits.
