Cuttack: On Tuesday, the Odisha High Court served notices to two individuals with the same name, both alleging they were awarded the Padma Shri in 2023. The court has ordered both individuals to appear in person on February 24 to elucidate their claims and present their respective cases.
In the list of Padma Shri awardees for 2023, the name Antarayami Mishra from Odisha was featured at the 56th position, recognised for significant contributions to literature and education. A journalist by the name of Antarayami Mishra travelled to New Delhi to receive the accolade from President Droupadi Murmu.
Conversely, Dr. Antarayami Mishra, a medical professional, subsequently filed a petition in the High Court, contending that an individual sharing his name had fraudulently assumed the award. Dr. Mishra claimed to be the rightful recipient, having authored 29 books in Odia and various Indian languages, which he asserted were the foundation for his inclusion in the Padma Shri roster. He further emphasised that the journalist possessed no published works attributed to his name.
During the hearing, Justice S.K. Panigrahi pointed out that despite the government’s stringent verification procedures, confusion had arisen due to the identical names, thereby casting doubt on the reliability of the selection process.
The court has mandated both claimants to appear with evidence of their works and pertinent documents to substantiate their assertions. Notices have also been dispatched to the Central Government and other stakeholders involved in the case.
Dr. Mishra, the petitioner, expressed, “I have authored over 30 books. Acknowledging my contributions, the Government of India declared my name for the Padma Shri on January 25, 2023. I even received congratulations from the Under Secretary of the Home Department. I later discovered that another individual with my name journeyed to Delhi and received the honour.”
This case exposes the intricacies surrounding the award selection process and accentuates the necessity for rigorous verification to avert such conflicts. The court’s impending decision is keenly anticipated as both parties prepare to submit their supporting evidence.