Orissa high court issues contempt notice to State Cooperative Bank MD

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has issued a contempt notice to Siddharth Das, Managing Director of the Odisha State Cooperative Bank, over alleged non-compliance with its earlier order directing payment of gratuity dues with interest to a retired officer.Taking cognisance of a contempt petition filed by Managobinda Barik, a retired Deputy General Manager, a single judge bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra on April 10 directed issuance of notice to the alleged contemnor. The court ordered that the notice be sent by speed post with acknowledgement due and fixed May 14, 2026, as the next date of hearing.Barik had approached the court on March 10, alleging that the bank failed to comply with the High Court’s October 28, 2025 judgment within the stipulated time. In that ruling, the court had upheld orders passed under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, directing the bank to pay gratuity along with 10% interest for the delay.The High Court had dismissed the bank’s challenge to the orders of the Controlling Authority and the Appellate Authority (Joint Labour Commissioner, Bhubaneswar), observing that the bank failed to resolve the matter through mediation “for reasons best known to it.”Coming down heavily on the bank, the court had also imposed a cost of Rs 20,000, to be paid to Barik within six weeks, for “wasting the judicial time” and causing prolonged hardship to a retired employee who had to engage in extended litigation to secure his legitimate dues.Despite the clear directions, the petitioner alleged that the bank did not comply with the order, prompting the contempt plea. Advocate Pradipta Kishore Bhuyan represented the petitioner.Meanwhile, the bank has filed a writ appeal against the October 28, 2025 judgment and sought an interim stay. The appeal was last listed on April 6, but no interim order has been granted so far.