Premium

‘Even God gave hearing to Adam and Eve’: Orissa High Court emphasises on principles of natural justice

Odisha court ruling, Adam and Eve hearing remark: The grievance of the petitioners in this case was against the recovery order that had occurred because of withdrawal of one annual increment.

2 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Dec 1, 2025 06:25 PM IST

The court noted that an order without compliance with the principles of natural justice is unsustainable. (Image is generated using AI)

While emphasising the principles of natural justice, the Orissa High Court recently said that even God gave an opportunity of hearing to Adam and Eve after they consumed the proscribed apple in the Eden garden.

Justice Dixit Krishna Shripad observed, “Even the God is said to have given an opportunity of hearing to Adam and Eve for consuming the proscribed apple in the Eden Garden, says the Bible. That being the position, man cannot be arrogant to himself, the wisdom which even God did not claim.”

The grievance of the petitioners in this case was against the recovery order that had occurred because of withdrawal of one annual increment.

Advocates K K Swain and JR Khuntia appearing for the petitioner, submitted that increment is a monetary value and that would constitute property under Article 300A of the Constitution of India. It was further submitted that, therefore, without due process the exercise could not have been undertaken.

The counsel for the state, SB Mohanty, argued that no useful purpose would be served even if notice is given. He submitted that the ground of violation of principles of natural justice would not come to the aid of the petitioner.

Also Read | No one can be deprived of property without adequate compensation: Supreme Court

At the outset the court noted that an order without compliance with the principles of natural justice is unsustainable.

Having heard the learned counsel for the parties and having perused the petition papers, this Court is inclined to grant indulgence as under and for the reason that an order without compliance with the principles of natural justice is unsustainable.

Story continues below this ad

The court therefore remitted the matter back to the district education officer for considering it afresh, after giving an opportunity of hearing to all the stakeholders, including the petitioners.

“A Writ of Certiorari issues quashing the impugned order. Matter is remitted to the portals of District Education Officer-OP 3 for consideration afresh in accordance with law and after affording an opportunity of hearing to all the stakeholders, including the petitioners herein. All contentions are kept open,” it ordered.

Ashish Shaji

Ashish Shaji is a Senior Sub-Editor at The Indian Express, where he specializes in legal journalism. Combining a formal education in law with years of editorial experience, Ashish provides authoritative coverage and nuanced analysis of court developments and landmark judicial decisions for a national audience. Expertise Legal Core Competency: Ashish is a law graduate (BA LLB) from IME Law College, CCSU. This academic foundation allows him to move beyond surface-level reporting, offering readers a deep-dive into the technicalities of statutes, case law, and legal precedents. Specialized Legal Reporting: His work at The Indian Express focuses on translating the often-dense proceedings of India's top courts into clear, actionable news. His expertise includes: Judicial Analysis: Breaking down complex orders from the Supreme Court and various High Courts. Legal Developments: Monitoring legislative changes and their practical implications for the public and the legal fraternity. Industry Experience: With over 5 years in the field, Ashish has contributed to several niche legal and professional platforms, honing his ability to communicate complex information. His previous experience includes: Lawsikho: Gaining insights into legal education and practical law. Verdictum: Focusing on high-quality legal news and court updates. Enterslice: Working at the intersection of legal, financial, and advisory services. ... Read More