Cuttack, Feb 12: The Orissa High Court on Wednesday summoned two persons having the same name over a dispute regarding the conferring of Padma Shri Awards in 2023. The High Court has asked them to appear before it at 2 pm on February 24 and present their case.
As per reports, the Padma Shri award list included Antaryami Mishra for his contributions to literature and education in 2023.
A journalist by profession, Antaryami Mishra traveled to New Delhi and received the award from President Droupadi Murmu. However, Dr. Antaryami Mishra, a physician and Odia writer with 29 published books in various Indian languages, later approached the high court claiming that his namesake had fraudulently impersonated him and claimed the award.
The petitioner, who resides on Tankapani Road in Bhubaneswar, also mentioned receiving a congratulatory call from the Ministry of Home Affairs. He further asserted that the journalist had no published books to his name.
While hearing the case on Tuesday, Justice S K Panigrahi remarked, "It is rather surprising that despite the state government's significant role in the verification process and the extensive procedures followed before the Padma Shri award is announced, a situation like this—where claims and counterclaims arise simply due to identical names—has occurred."
The court further noted that the confusion arising from identical names raises questions about the credibility of the selection process.
Both the claimants have been summoned to appear before the court with all relevant publications and materials to support their claims.
Notices have also been sent to the respondents, including the Union of India, regarding the matter.
