Justice Chittaranjan Dash has retired from the Orissa High Court, concluding a judicial tenure that began with his elevation in August 2022. According to LiveLaw, Dash demitted office on Wednesday, November 11, after serving for over four years. He addressed a Full-Court Reference organized to mark his departure, an event presided over by Chief Justice Harish Tandon and attended by all sitting judges of the High Court.
During his farewell address, Justice Dash emphasized his belief that the judiciary rewards sincerity and dedication. He acknowledged the contributions of numerous colleagues, mentors, and family members who supported his career. The gathering included prominent legal figures such as Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, Deputy Solicitor General Prasanna Kumar Parhi, and Orissa High Court Bar Association President Lalatendu Samantaray. Acharya praised Dash’s professional journey, specifically noting his handling of high-profile cases, including the murder trial of Hindu Saint Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and related riot cases.
Justice Dash reflected on his early career, crediting his father-in-law, the late Gobardhan Pujari, for guiding his initial practice in law. He also expressed gratitude to former Bar Association President Biswamohan Patnaik for facilitating his appearances before various benches between 2002 and 2003. He highlighted the administrative lessons learned while serving as Registrar General under former Chief Justice S. Muralidhar, noting that this experience taught him the nuances of judicial governance. Dash also recalled his postings in remote districts such as Kandhamal, Phulbani, and Rayagada, describing them as formative experiences rather than mere administrative assignments.
The retirement of Justice Dash has reduced the working strength of the Orissa High Court to 14 judges, a historic low compared to the sanctioned strength of 33. LiveLaw reported that the situation is expected to worsen when Chief Justice Tandon retires on November 15, 2026, leaving the court with just 13 judges. Although the Supreme Court Collegium recommended four advocates for appointment in August, these selections remain pending clearance from the central government. Dash, born in Rourkela in 1964, had previously served as an Adhoc Additional District and Sessions Judge in Cuttack starting in 2004 before joining the higher judiciary.