Bhubaneswar, Aug 13: The Odisha government has restored Shanti Manjari Dei to the post of Chairperson of Debagada Municipality with immediate effect, complying with the directions of the Orissa High Court in a case challenging her earlier removal.

According to a notification issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department on August 13, Dei had been removed from the post through a government notification dated January 28, 2025, under Section 53 of the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950.

Challenging the decision, Dei had approached the High Court by filing W.P.(C) No. 3887 of 2025. In its judgment dated March 25, 2026, the court allowed her petition and quashed the January 28, 2025 notification, directing the state government to restore her as Chairperson of Debagada Municipality.

The state subsequently filed Writ Appeal No. 660 of 2026 against the judgment, which remains pending before the court.

Meanwhile, Dei filed Contempt Petition No. 2265 of 2026, alleging non-compliance with the High Court’s order. During the hearing on July 31, the court directed the government to file a compliance affidavit and observed that, in the absence of a stay order in the appeal, Dei should be restored to the post.

Accordingly, the Housing and Urban Development Department has now reinstated her with immediate effect. However, the restoration remains subject to the final outcome of Writ Appeal No. 660 of 2026 and any further orders of the court.

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