Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Orissa High Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Education Secretary
The Orissa High Court in India issued an arrest warrant for the State Higher Education Secretary, Arvind Agarwal, because he did not follow a court order.
The order was about giving a pay raise to a government employee named Tapan Kumar Pattanaik.
The court said this was a serious case of not following the rules, called 'aggravated contempt.'
The secretary has to appear in court on January 22, 2026.
If he follows the order before then, he won't be arrested.
The court order came after the government did not take action on the employee's request for a pay raise, even after promising to do so.
Contempt of court means not respecting the court's authority or interfering with its work.
The Orissa High Court issued an arrest warrant for State Higher Education Secretary Arvind Agarwal for failing to comply with a court order regarding a government employee's increment.
Justice Dixit Krishna Shripad termed the conduct as 'aggravated contempt' and directed Agarwal to appear in court on January 22, 2026.
The contempt proceedings originated from a writ petition filed by Tapan Kumar Pattanaik, who sought a pay increment denied by the higher education department.
The court had directed the authorities to decide on Pattanaik's representation within eight weeks, but no action was taken despite assurances.
The court clarified that if compliance is reported before January 22, no coercive action will be taken against Agarwal.
- Who
- Arvind Agarwal, State Higher Education Secretary
- What
- Arrest warrant issued for non-compliance with court order
- When
- January 16, 2026, with next court date on January 22, 2026
- Where
- Orissa High Court, India
- Why
- Failure to comply with a court order regarding a government employee's increment
- Contemnor
- Arvind Agarwal, State Higher Education Secretary
- Date of Order
- January 16, 2026
- Next Court Date
- January 22, 2026
- Petitioner
- Tapan Kumar Pattanaik, Government Employee
- Original Writ Petition Date
- July 30, 2025
- Contempt of Court Act
- 1971