IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK
W.P.(C) No.7963 of 2025
Tilottama Padhihari …. Petitioner
versus

State of Odisha & Ors. …. Opposite Party

Coram:-
HON’BLE DR. JUSTICE S.K. PANIGRAHI
Date of Judgement:- 25 March, 2025

Case Summary :-

In an odd instance, a woman who filed a writ petition to regain custody of her pet dog from her daughter-in-law was fined one thousand rupees by the Orissa High Court on Tuesday.

According to reports, the issue started with a dowry quarrel, after which the daughter-in-law filed a formal complaint against the in-laws and fled the married residence.

Following the seizure of the dowry possessions from the in-laws, the daughter-in-law is accused of taking the family pet dog with her.

The State became a party to the issue after the mother-in-law, who felt wronged by the action, filed a writ petition, hoping that she would regain custody of the pet. Advocate Byomakesh Tripathy representing the petitioner, was heard in detail by Dr. Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi‘s Single Bench.

But after some time of debate, he asked the court for permission to withdraw the writ petition, allowing him to seek refuge from the proper authorities to address the issues. In light of this, the Court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the petition, giving them the freedom to contact the proper authority. However, the bench was annoyed by the petition’s frivolity, which resulted in a waste of court time.

Order Of the Courts :-

“At this juncture, this Court also imposes a cost of Rs.1000/- (Rupees One thousand only) on the Petitioner as she has unnecessarily wasted the valuable time of this Court. The said cost shall be deposited in favour of the “Orissa High Court Bar Association Welfare Fund” within a period of ten days hence,” it ordered.

1. This matter is taken up through hybrid arrangement.

2. After arguing at length, learned counsel for the Petitioner prays for permitting the Petitioner to withdraw this Writ Petition with liberty to approach the appropriate authority for redressal of her grievance.

3. In such view of the matter, this Writ Petition is dismissed as withdrawn, giving liberty to the Petitioner to approach the appropriate authority.

4. At this juncture, this Court also imposes a cost of Rs.1000/- (Rupees One thousand only) on the Petitioner as she has unnecessarily wasted the valuable time of this Court. The said cost shall be deposited in favour of the “Orissa High Court Bar Association Welfare Fund” within a period of ten days hence.

Conclusion

The Orissa High Court dismissed Tilottama Padhihari‘s writ petition, imposing a fine of ₹1,000 for filing a frivolous case that wasted judicial time and resources, and allowed her to withdraw the petition.